SOLEDAD, Calif. —
More than 100 classified employees of Soledad Unified School District were hit by an unexpected expense, Friday. In a meeting with district officials, employees were told they must pay a year's worth of overpaid wages or face possible legal action.
While Superintendent Randy Bangs estimates that about 100 classified employees are affected, multiple employees say that number is higher at around 160.
Classified employees comprise of support staff like teaching aids and administrative workers. Teachers are not included.
Soledad Unified School District says overpayment took place from 2019 to 2021 and estimates it overpaid $107,000. The district discovered the error in February 2021.
"Why do they wait so long to tell us and inform us if they found out on February of 2021? Why wait so long? And you need to notify your employees the minute you find out, not wait a year and three months," a classified employee said.
According to employees, the amount each person owes ranges from under $100 to about $10,000. In letters to employees, Action News 8 was able to confirm multiple individuals were charged about $1,000.
According to employees, human resources is meeting with each person individually to outline their options and have them sign a repayment agreement. Refusal to sign may result in a small claims lawsuit.
Superintendent Bangs refused to comment on any legal action.
In a statement to Action News 8, Bangs said, "The overpayment issue stems from an agreement...
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