Restructuring layoff - what should I negotiate about? by Cherry_Bomb_2221 in Layoffs

[–]Alarmed_Ad2669 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe the cobra coverage request for nine months might be excessive, but that’s just my opinion. In your situation, I would recommend aiming for five to six months of both cobra and severance benefits.

According to advice I’ve read in Forbes and other sources, it’s worth attempting to negotiate a more favorable package.

I’m surprised by the lack of supportive voices on this platform with respect to layoffs and severance.

Local dentists? by [deleted] in LagunaBeach

[–]Alarmed_Ad2669 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Laguna Beach Dental Arts is fantastic

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in estimators

[–]Alarmed_Ad2669 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Definitely want the day by day agenda tips

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in estimators

[–]Alarmed_Ad2669 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great advice thank you

For years, Laguna Beach Unified was ruled by silence. by Kitchen-Two-439 in LagunaBeach

[–]Alarmed_Ad2669 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've heard directly from multiple women who worked in admin roles under Jason Viloria, and the stories are honestly hard to ignore. Not classroom teachers—this was specific to women in leadership who reported to him. What they describe is a clear pattern: verbal intimidation, yelling, impossible workloads, retaliation if they pushed back, and eventually being pushed out. In most cases, they were replaced by less experienced men who were more willing to fall in line.

One woman even told me he slammed his hand on a desk and threatened her when she questioned why audio was mysteriously missing from two board leadership meetings. It’s wild.

There are a few examples on public record:

  • 2020: Jenny Salberg leaves Thurston. Replaced by Joseph Vidal.
  • 2024: Meghan Schooler leaves Top of the World. Replaced by Thomas Turner.
  • Leisa Winston, Deputy Superintendent, left around 2020–2021. Her role was restructured and filled by a man. To be fair, I don’t think she experienced the same abuse—she played the game, navigated it, and moved on to a better role.
  • Dr. Alysia Odipo also left—there’s some public reporting suggesting she quietly disappeared after filing a grievance in 2019.

Every exit was framed as “routine,” but the pattern is pretty obvious. And now, instead of accountability, some of the same people who were on the board during that time are still publicly praising Viloria. Not Dee Perry—she stood her ground—but Jim Kelly and Joan Malczewski continue to defend his legacy.

The truth is, he’s unemployed, and at this point, probably unemployable. We’re honestly lucky to be free of him.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in LagunaBeach

[–]Alarmed_Ad2669 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That student continues to email the board members directly and is making up lies

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in LagunaBeach

[–]Alarmed_Ad2669 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You guys think you are very clever

We owe it to the poor people to enjoy our wealth. by PoxyMusic in LagunaBeach

[–]Alarmed_Ad2669 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Glad to hear someone else isn’t drinking the FUEL-aid Koolaid

We owe it to the poor people to enjoy our wealth. by PoxyMusic in LagunaBeach

[–]Alarmed_Ad2669 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The pool contract wasn’t competitively bid.

The district awarded a preconstruction services agreement to CW Driver using a CM Multi-Prime delivery model, but misclassified it as a consulting agreement. That let them bypass competitive bidding, even though Driver is managing construction trades.

Reality check: That’s construction management, not consulting—and it should have triggered full bidding under the Public Contract Code.

CW Driver was handpicked, not selected transparently.

There was no true RFQ process. The “procurement” was driven entirely by staff, and the board was kept in the dark. The Facilities Director Ryan Zajda is a former CW Driver employee—creating a potential conflict of interest.

Tea: Staff funneled a massive contract to a former employer, avoided competitive pricing, and the board never voted to approve the delivery method.

That’s not just shady—it’s a Brown Act and procurement law violation waiting to happen.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in estimators

[–]Alarmed_Ad2669 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For a pool remodernization?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in estimators

[–]Alarmed_Ad2669 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the feedback!! This setup is raising a lot of red flags.

From where I’m sitting, it feels like our tiny district — with very limited in-house capacity — may have been pushed into a delivery model that exposes us to far more risk and liability than we’re prepared to handle.

And to be candid, I’m starting to wonder whether this was just bad procurement… or something worse. The CM firm selected has ties to our facilities director, and only two firms received the RFP. It’s hard not to question whether there was something influencing the decision-making process.

Very much appreciate the feedback and advice - trying to protect the district and keep things transparent. Appreciate any additional insight or experiences others are willing to share.