AB 1273 Seeks to Ensure Adequate Student-Staff Ratios Among Classified School Employees

On October 7, 2023 Governor Newsom signed legislation designed to be the first step toward guaranteeing a proper staff-to-student ratio among California’s classified school employees. Classified employees are those who are not in positions requiring certification, such as teacher aides, secretaries, bus drivers, and school security officers. AB 1273 sets up a Classified Employee Staffing Ratio Workgroup that will report back to lawmakers its recommendations for guidelines as to what amount of staffing is considered adequate among various groups of school support staff.

This bill is aimed at fixing the crisis of understaffed schools that was exacerbated by the pandemic. Surveys show that a majority of school districts in America are currently struggling with severe shortages of positions like school bus drivers, cafeteria workers, tutors, janitors, and academic support staff. Students are hurting as a result. Violence and drug overdoses have increased, repairs have been delayed indefinitely, and teachers struggle to provide each student with the attention they need to succeed. The State Department of Education will convene this Workgroup and will be required under the bill to consider the number of students in schools and the physical, mental, and emotional toll of the pandemic on the classified employees.

The Department must also consult labor union representatives among other stakeholders in making these determinations.

Unions that represent classified employees should stay updated as this Workgroup is put together and seek opportunities to get involved in crafting these student-staff ratios. The Department must convene the Workgroup by December 31, 2024. The Workgroup will have until December 31, 2025 to report its recommendations to the Legislature.

For more information on this bill and how it could impact classified school employees, please contact your labor law counsel.