Department Proposals

Thank you to everyone who participated in our two-day Budget Collaborative meeting held on January 21 and 22. More than one hundred staff, union partners, students, parents/guardians, principals, administrators, and community members joined us. The purpose of the meeting was to review the district’s financial landscape and gather input to help shape priorities for potential reductions and a path to long-term fiscal stability.

Superintendent Dr. Darnise R. Williams shared the district’s challenge: addressing an estimated $30 million deficit over the next two years. The Fiscal Services team explained that the deficit is tied to several factors happening at the same time, including the expiration of one-time COVID relief funds, increased salary and benefit costs, rising special education expenses, and higher utility costs. Together, these pressures have created financial strain as the district expanded staffing and programs to support post-pandemic learning recovery.

Participants also heard a presentation from a demographer who shared enrollment projections, providing important context for future planning and resource allocation. In addition, Miguel Cruz, Director of Maintenance, Operations, and Facilities, presented an overview of current district-owned property, including the legal requirements for selling property and how proceeds from any sale may be applied, noting that these funds have restricted uses.

One of the most valuable contributions from the entire group was the way participants pushed our thinking and tested assumptions. The conversation helped align this work to the district's mission and Board goals, clarified what the community wants protected, and surfaced priorities that require deeper analysis before recommendations are made. The meeting also created space for students and parents/guardians to share what matters most to them, including stronger mental health supports, meaningful professional development for educators, better family engagement, consistent check-ins so students feel seen and supported, additional sports and extracurricular opportunities, expanded supports for students receiving special education services, and making volunteering more accessible for families.

District office leaders presented draft 10% cost-saving proposals focused on efficiencies and keeping reductions as far from classrooms as possible. Ideas discussed included reorganizing administrative work, reducing or re-scoping vendor contracts where feasible, lowering extra hours and overtime costs, and strengthening spending controls and purchasing practices.

The group also reviewed opportunities to increase revenue, especially through improved Average Daily Attendance (ADA). Each missed school day costs the district about $112.95 per student, whether the absence is excused or unexcused. Current ADA is 90–91%, compared to pre-pandemic levels of 93–94%. Reaching the district goal of 95% ADA could generate more than $30 million over three years. Families can support this effort by helping students return to school after appointments when possible, scheduling appointments on minimum days when feasible, reviewing the district calendar when planning travel, and requesting independent study packets when students must be absent.

This is an ongoing process, and more time is needed to review information carefully and work through the complexities involved. Next steps include developing position (staffing) controls to strengthen budgeting and prevent unplanned staffing increases, generating and reviewing staffing allocations to ensure alignment with student needs and district priorities, refining draft options based on feedback and additional analysis, and reconvening in February for follow-up discussion and continued problem-solving. We appreciate the time, questions, and solutions offered by all participants, and we will continue to share updates through official district communication channels as this work continues.

In the interim, school teams will be provided with a presentation to provide an overview to their learning communities.

Thank you.

Adriana H., Amanda F., Amanda G., Anjee P., Anndria R ., Ariana C., Artero P., Ashlee O., Ashley S., Blair W., Bonny B., Brandon D ., Brian A., Bridget S ., Bryan Z., Camille J., Casey M., Chelsea R., Christen C., Christie S., Christina F., Christina P., Courtney E ., Courtney M., Curtistean R ., Darnise W., Dayna G., Deanna A ., Deb M., Debbie P., Diane L., Elaina L., Elena M., Ed D., Erica J., Erich B., Essence P., Esteban L ., Evelyn B., Gloria Q., Gregory K., Gretchen G., Heather O., Henry J., Jasmine F., Jason M., Jason L., Jeffery W., Jeffrey Z., Jennifer R ., Jesseca S ., Jessika T ., Jody A., John J., Jonnie S., Julie V., Katie I., Kelli B., Kelly Q., Ken K., Kendra B., Krista P., Kristine C ., LaTanya W., Lana R ., LaShieka R ., Leslie M., Liah J., Lindsay W., Lisa B., Lisa G., Lisa H., Loraine H., Mallory R ., Margaret T ., Maria V., Marie M., Mariela N., Marissa D., Mia C., Melissa H., Melissa W., Michele W., Mike F., Mindy L., Monica C., Natalie M., Natasha T., Oralia P., Rachel F., Raheem W., Rebecca M., Renata E ., Renita A., Robby B., Robin E., Sabrina A ., Samantha M ., Sarah C., Sarah G., Sarah M., Sarah R., Suzy H., Sylvia R., Taisha W., Tamara B., Tamara D., Tim H., Tom G., Yessica M., Yvette W.