Alum Rock Union Elementary School District is considering cutting jobs to bridge an $8 million budget gap. The latest budget proposal would cut the district’s five school liaison positions. “It seems just really like a big shocker,” said Stephanie Carecheo, who is one of the district’s school liaisons. “What happened exactly? I thought it was over, but looks like now we’re in the battle again and trying to defend our title.” Some parents oppose the proposed cuts and said the school liaisons serve as a critical resource, especially for parent Maria Elizondo, who is dealing with health issues. Elizondo said when she was in the hospital, a school liaison checked on her and kept her updated on her special needs son. San Jose Feb 13 Two cash-strapped San Jose school districts face cuts, consolidation San Jose Aug 19, 2025 Alum Rock Union School District superintendent discusses new role, challenges San Jose Aug 15, 2025 Alum Rock Union trustee who voted against firing superintendent speaks out Parents also blame the school board’s financial mismanagement. Trustees have had to pay off hundreds of thousands of dollars in contracts of the last two superintendents they fired. In addition, the board is paying thousands of dollars in tuition reimbursement to a board member, all while already facing a big deficit. Parents said the cuts should be in the district office and not in schools. “Don’t take our front line,” Elizondo said. “Don’t take what we need.” District spokesperson Sergio Diaz Luna said there has been some district restructuring to save money and notes his job is among those already being eliminated, with perhaps more positions to come. “We believe that all of the positions that are working in our school district are critical for education. But when you’re facing a deficit like ours, we just can’t keep all the services at once,” he said. “The board has a really difficult decision in front of them.” The school board is poised to make a decision about the school liaison positions at its meeting Thursday night. ...read more read less