Picnic and Celebration Highlight Summer Sendoff for Retirees from a Grateful San Diego Unified School District

More Than 1,000 Employees Officially Wrapping Up Final Year of Service

SAN DIEGO (JUNE 3, 2025) - From counselors to custodians, principals to paraeducators, and technicians to teachers, more than 1,000 San Diego Unified employees spanning all departments are about to embark on their next exciting chapter in life with a new title: retiree.

The District is hosting a picnic this afternoon, June 3 at the Education Center grounds, 4100 Normal St. San Diego, CA 92103, from 3-6 p.m. to honor and celebrate the dedication and commitment of its retiring colleagues. The interim Superintendent and Board of Education President will make brief remarks at 3:30 p.m.

Just some of the day's festivities include:

• A catered BBQ for approximately 700 people, including retirees and their guests
• Onsite community partners offering resources to support retirees in this next chapter - whether through wellness, volunteering, or staying connected
• Yard games, art activities, music, show cars

Additionally, if possible, each retiree received:

• An in-person delivery of their retirement certificate ahead of time
• A tribute book filled with letters and artwork from students from UTK through high school, colleagues, and community members

"Saying 'thank you' is certainly appropriate but also inadequate," said Dr. Fabi Bagula, San Diego Unified Superintendent (Interim). "We are forever indebted to these people who have become our friends and family. Despite the reality of a very limited budget, in addition to today's celebration, we felt it was important for the students themselves to get a chance to relay to the retirees just how much they meant in the students' lives, which is why the tribute book turned out to be a wonderful expression of love."

For many employees, a generous retirement incentive offered by the District, known as the Supplemental Early Retirement Plan (SERP), provided an added financial bonus for those who chose to retire this year.

The 27% higher-than-anticipated number of retirees who accepted the SERP allowed the district to assess its staffing approach and avoid layoffs to close a $112 million budget deficit for the upcoming 2025-26 school year.

"Layoffs are a last resort for our Board of Education, and thankfully we didn't have to deploy that drastic measure, due in large part to the hundreds of people who voluntarily chose to retire," said Dr. Cody Petterson, San Diego Unified Board President. "At the same time, it's bittersweet to see so many people say goodbye. We wish all of them well and want each of them to know that their work made a positive difference in the lives of all of our students."