East San Jose school district to vote on layoffs for student safety, mental health staff

East Side Union High School District’s board of education will vote on whether to layoff dozens of staff dedicated to protecting students’ mental health, wellbeing and safety Thursday night.

The proposed layoffs — about $6.5 million according to the district’s teachers union — would cut around 85 full-time positions, including eight counselors, seven social workers and five campus safety advisors, as well as several wellness center clerks, parent outreach coordinators and special education teachers, among others.