Napa Valley College cuts physical education program for disabled students amid layoffs

The college is eliminating 16 positions and 17 vacant roles, including staff who supported the Adaptive Physical Education program.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Napa Valley College's Board of Trustees voted 4-2 to lay off 16 workers and eliminate 17 vacant positions, effectively dismantling a physical education program that serves more than 100 disabled students. The affected positions include two instructional support assistants in the Adaptive Physical Education program, three roles in Disability Support Programs and Services, and the dean of Student Support Programs. With the termination of the last remaining classified worker who supports the Adaptive Physical Education program, the classes will no longer be offered at the college beginning in the 2026-27 school year.

Why it matters

The Adaptive Physical Education program has been offered at Napa Valley College for at least 40 years, providing a range of fitness activities for disabled students in a facility equipped with specially designed, wheelchair-accessible machines. The program aims to help seniors stay healthy, rehabilitate patients who are often sent by their doctors, and provide access to college for young adults with disabilities. For many students, the college's offering was their only access to adaptive physical education, as private lessons can be expensive.

The details

The layoffs are a result of fiscal distress caused by the loss of federal grants and lower than expected local property taxes. According to college leaders, the college budget will lose about $2.5 million in federal funding and $1.9 million in state funding by 2028. In 2025, the college registered a shortfall of $775,000 as a result of local property taxes coming in lower than expected. Without action, the college will face a budget deficit of $3.75 million in 2027 and $4.4 million in 2028.

  • The Board of Trustees voted 4-2 to approve the layoffs on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
  • The Adaptive Physical Education program has been offered at Napa Valley College for at least 40 years.
  • The program will no longer be offered at the college beginning in the 2026-27 school year.

The players

Napa Valley College

A community college located in Napa, California.

Ines De Luna

A trustee who cast a dissenting vote against the layoffs.

Jason Kishineff

A trustee who cast a dissenting vote against the layoffs.

Jennifer Baker

The college president who was absent during the vote.

Justin Dizon

The student trustee who holds an advisory seat and objected to the motion.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm ready to make hard decisions if they're the right ones. But I think the people that are going to be hurt from this are disabled people and seniors that come to our school and I'm not ready to make those cuts.”

— Jason Kishineff, Trustee (pressdemocrat.com)

“I have been attending classes for a little over five years and am able to get out of dinner chairs, reclining chairs and sofas better than I could before. I can even climb the stairs at church. Please continue offering this wonderful class.”

— Bob McIntire, 81-year-old student (pressdemocrat.com)

What’s next

The college administration said the adaptive physical education classes may return only if the college can secure funding alternatives or form partnerships with healthcare and nonprofit partners.

The takeaway

The elimination of the Adaptive Physical Education program at Napa Valley College highlights the difficult budgetary decisions facing community colleges, and the impact these decisions can have on vulnerable student populations who rely on specialized services and programs.