[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6115761,"mediaKeyId","2736588-786986f53bdee01e4764643b6e076663","parentId",2736588,"title","FCMAT report: Coachella Valley Unified classified as high fiscal risk; parents and staff press board over layoffs and classroom aides","audioSeconds",3651,"startMs",3441000,"endMs",7092000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2736588-786986f53bdee01e4764643b6e076663&start=3441&end=7092","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2736588-786986f53bdee01e4764643b6e076663/thumbnail_3441000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6115761/California/FCMAT-report-Coachella-Valley-Unified-classified-as-high-fiscal-risk-parents-and-staff-press-board-over-layoffs-and-classroom-aides","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115761-15d8687058aa62afc53007fc2a262a70/orig.mp4?Expires=1771060675&Signature=HpH4gTo6pWu~~BnDiN3KRI2oJA42ttmjCMj1QnZc0CPiRy68Du0YNfXODqYeicOdcvsstVn3-IpAKIFQBIKEZAFbTtPLX1Oyb~ZhFkf9uyhtrT9nfv4AXYMgnpIm50p9gNOq6kgxppoN8ssWzc9LyirXwmAPSFkTYB2zwAeCkLwX9mypXFj5VOHxpQhgUDe9E9dNWWB4Dzq3tnkCS0hLR6ZL6s3tmVhqywacHMCmscDOfZRquKsQ0M4lDzKwW1ZE-KlLChOO2BrtDYWL0V7ym7-g6f-jvBcuOW0MxsY7YpGWuxldhG9eIcSHs4Tez7DFQags4SNcMNhy5YiqOvlj0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-22T13:11:54.523Z","article","The Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) presented the results of a fiscal health risk analysis for Coachella Valley Unified, concluding the district received a high risk rating (42.6 percent on FCMAT’s tool) and identifying several areas of elevated concern: deficit spending, declining enrollment, insufficient fund balance reserves and leadership instability.

Jennifer Narret, an FCMAT intervention specialist, summarized the FHRA methodology and findings. Narret said the review examined 38 yes/no indicators across a range of fiscal controls and practices, and that multiple “no” answers in areas such as budget monitoring, collective bargaining quantification and budget reserves drove the district’s high-risk rating. FCMAT noted the district had not completed the 2023–24 independent audit by the statutory timeline and that the county superintendent had designated the district a “lack of going concern,” triggering additional oversight and assignment of a fiscal adviser.

In response to FCMAT, the superintendent and assistant superintendent of human resources told the board they are implementing a fiscal stabilization plan and working through legally required reduction-in-force (RIF) procedures. Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources described the RIF and bumping process and said staff and union representatives are meeting with affected employees to attempt to place as many as possible in open positions.

Public commenters during the meeting pressed the board about classroom staffing changes. Several parents and staff members urged the district to preserve teacher aides and criticized the impact of combining grade levels in dual-language and early elementary classrooms. One teacher and parent said notices issued under the RIF process exceeded the number listed in a board resolution and asked for clarification (the commenter said the resolution referenced 48 positions while 10 teachers had received notices). Another public speaker said turnover of staff year-to-year at a particular elementary school had been extremely disruptive.

FCMAT’s presentation included numerical estimates drawn from the district’s first interim budget snapshot: roughly $12 million deficit in the current year, $19 million the following year and $29 million in year three (these figures were presented as the FHRA’s deficit projections at first interim; FCMAT emphasized the results were a point-in-time snapshot). FCMAT urged continued implementation of the district’s stabilization plan, timely completion of the 2023–24 audit, recruitment of a highly qualified chief business officer and improved board-level training on finance and governance.

Board members thanked FCMAT for the report and acknowledged the gravity of the district’s financial condition. Several trustees framed the rankings and recommendations as a call to seriously implement the stabilization plan and to improve communication and transparency with the public about budget decisions.

The FCMAT presentation and the public comments established fiscal stability and staffing as the central topics of the meeting, and trustees directed staff to continue work on the stabilization plan and related personnel matters.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CVUSD Board Meeting 03/20/2025","oneSentenceSummary","An FCMAT fiscal health risk analysis rated Coachella Valley Unified as high risk, citing deficit spending, declining enrollment and leadership instability; parents and staff used public comment to press the board over reductions in classroom aides and RIF notices.","taxTitle","Coachella Valley Unified, School Districts, California","taxId",14551,"location","California","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6115766,"Board elects Jocelyn Vargas president in 5–2 vote after heated debate over outside campaign spending and union ties",1586,1742000,3328000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2736588-786986f53bdee01e4764643b6e076663&start=1742&end=3328","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2736588-786986f53bdee01e4764643b6e076663/thumbnail_1742000.jpg","/articles/6115766/California/Board-elects-Jocelyn-Vargas-president-in-52-vote-after-heated-debate-over-outside-campaign-spending-and-union-ties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115766-61100cd4398aba7a3fa931524c19efb3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771060675&Signature=Z93eDv6yEu3nsDfUXHyM9jJY5T5XKOery4wh-nSIghjJy174-pEgcWjWZ3-b31WJ4n2XY~cM0fihZQsfTHuQ6CyrylWm7AZjKjZlgcCAeIMwB4zGXpEI1LB1vKH1dj4f0GbicXJyyvdAfdlh8kbncKYVDZ8m3~uAvzJdocSQFXCqqOds6907w4mWdIwXNqItc0CW7h4qspWt0MhpCH6GGKtK~QrRJp5--0ior1D5xaSQskjl37CGfJnNSUZhfjol-cnPmyK8AUlzEW82hCFJDwosJdVaaBd~19cbdxTyD9za9SBu8FEgjgEjDbb9~w-2E3LYdi2F52VoS4Y779TOAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Coachella Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees elected Jocelyn Vargas as board president and appointed Valerie Garcia as clerk during the board’s organization item. The motion to present a slate naming Jocelyn Vargas for president and Valerie Garcia for clerk was put forward during the meeting and carried by a 5–2 vote.

The discussion that preceded the vote was lengthy and at times contentious. Several trustees expressed concern about outside money spent in the recent election cycle and about public attacks they said were being made by union leaders. Other trustees and Garcia defended her qualifications and said legal counsel had determined there was no conflict of interest in her serving on the board while employed by a union-affiliated organization. Garcia said she is not a spokesperson for her employer and that her vote and work on the board would be governed by legal guidance.

The board also appointed the superintendent to serve as the board’s secretary, a routine administrative step that the board approved by unanimous voice vote.

Trustees and candidates exchanged sharp rhetoric in public remarks. One trustee framed the slate as an attempt to “leave those politics out of this boardroom” and urged colleagues to focus on policy; other trustees said they could not support a particular nominee because of alleged outside campaign activity and ongoing personal attacks. After debate, the chair called the question and the slate passed 5–2.

The result reconfigured the board’s leadership for the 2025 governing year. Board officers will be expected to help manage internal relations while the board continues work on budget stabilization, a fiscal review from an external agency and other district priorities.","The Coachella Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees elected Jocelyn Vargas as president and appointed Valerie Garcia as clerk in a 5–2 vote after an extended, at times heated, discussion over external campaign spending and union ties.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6115756,"Votes at a glance: Board approves leadership slate, appointments and multiple consent and business items",6802,3318000,10120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2736588-786986f53bdee01e4764643b6e076663&start=3318&end=10120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2736588-786986f53bdee01e4764643b6e076663/thumbnail_3318000.jpg","/articles/6115756/California/Votes-at-a-glance-Board-approves-leadership-slate-appointments-and-multiple-consent-and-business-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115756-a43295cb4e355b6a89e051cb56e4d976/orig.mp4?Expires=1771060675&Signature=CnrI893yPtdbJVagCuY8BqQMizTb9Hc7JhFc72oyGrnQMA-j0R1i-gB-WkLrEPj5dQFyOW8~yq45i8~hzM0-Z~bB273Y6coBiwQ~wbRiNbGktHi~V4TEKz5QQ2LXIgRJBj4g0LhBfc9JTM~zztU6kaHDS3aFd2-YxhMwrwzGBUM-1gMQqm2iur2bCWcSGJdD283SatP1TayzDr9hgveouos5CD7~Q~g~AD-PGyqtLvLGouB1Wg~r~fNDCM2eIXI9HEu39frkML9EesVkPFES0gAnvqnqdLps1m9CiPA7gvqqU-9vi49YjKV8J19-Jc6BPZOBLCrxNULaHY4aSzlGbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board recorded the following formal outcomes during the March meeting. Where the transcript recorded mover/second or a tally, those details are shown; when the transcript recorded only a voice vote the entry lists the recorded outcome.

• Officer slate — Motion to adopt slate naming Jocelyn Vargas as Board President and Valerie Garcia as Clerk (agenda item 3.1): motion carried, tally recorded as 5 yes, 2 no.

• Appointment of superintendent as board secretary (agenda item 3.1): approved by voice vote (recorded as unanimous).

• Closed session action — Expulsion case number 23/24-007: motion to approve recommended expulsion and clear reinstatement was made by Mr. Gonzales, seconded by Mr. Arredondo; motion carried (6–0) as reported when the board returned to open session.

• Approval of memorandum of understanding — University of Southern California (USC) Policy Hub (agenda item 9.1): approved (motion and second recorded; vote recorded as carried by voice vote in the meeting).

• Adoption of K–2 literacy screener policy (DIBELS and Lectura) (agenda item 10.2): approved (motion carried by voice vote).

• Transportation services plan for fiscal years 2024–25 and 2025–26 (agenda item 11.1): approved.

• Approvals for bus frame repair and parts, and purchase of two rolling jacks (agenda items 11.2–11.3): approved; discussion noted the jacks will enable repair of a rotary lift used in fleet maintenance.

• Human resources and policy items (12.1–12.4): board approved second reading of BP/AR 6158 (independent study), first reading of BP/AR 5145.13 (response to immigration enforcement), resolution 2025-38 regarding PERS settlement (board case LADashCE6923E) and the 2025–26 school calendars (the board approved Draft 3 after discussion).

• Consent calendar (item 13 and related consent items): approved in a single motion; multiple routine contract and personnel items were included. One procurement item discussed in open session (food procurement via a local aggregator) recorded one abstention and otherwise carried.

Each item above is recorded in the meeting minutes and reflected in the board’s action for the day.","Summary of formal votes and approvals taken by the Coachella Valley Unified Board during the March meeting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6115771,"Three Coachella Valley Unified board members sworn in; brief remarks follow",293,84000,377000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2736588-786986f53bdee01e4764643b6e076663&start=84&end=377","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2736588-786986f53bdee01e4764643b6e076663/thumbnail_84000.jpg","/articles/6115771/California/Three-Coachella-Valley-Unified-board-members-sworn-in-brief-remarks-follow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115771-55369926e2d8c1adc4fdbafa24cdd0d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771060675&Signature=ldtFoW4KnQBdq7uHTZJNxR9MDEgQBk5ZQ3GuQKnD~-uAQ00A~Gc3MOnU-M1O4j2NfEdjB4a47FlykokYM9wikWDZFbQXoYB9PsIDn2fqNHEKAWC7pLzvupJIJK8ieKhE0o~egMd2g32XSlhH4GQp2PKaWP8ZmbISba~L-RqAbIT16LiiWha0KBys3539M47WhNWGYscMzm5jgO1gX0ukIjW3Sqk0nNovLZaqhyuCCBtvO1pXQ57rIFRVa6wd247y5kiQ~zFx0ULt8PKkyA9gy7geBqKuj9uJi9i5RzBTlJtv9CBK06FNl0Tfy4JZjIi6y-wWckZqvM8M5ZHbXtjG2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jocelyn Vargas, Trinidad Redondo and Jesus Gonzales were sworn in as members of the Coachella Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees during the board’s March meeting. Each took the oath of office administered on the dais and then signed oath paperwork.

The oath ceremony was completed individually. After the swearing-in, board members posed for photographs with family members in the meeting room.

Following the oath, newly sworn members offered short remarks of thanks. Trinidad Redondo and Jesus Gonzales each thanked the community for their support and pledged to continue working with schools and families. Jocelyn Vargas, previously serving as vice president, thanked family members and community supporters and said she was humbled by the opportunity to continue serving.

The swearing-in took place before the board moved to other agenda business, including closed session. The superintendent and staff guided the procedural elements for the oath and collection of signatures.","Three reelected members of the Coachella Valley Unified School District governing board — Jocelyn Vargas, Trinidad Redondo and Jesus Gonzales — took the oath of office and offered brief remarks after being sworn in. The swearing-in was followed by photos and short statements of gratitude to the community.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

FCMAT report: Coachella Valley Unified classified as high fiscal risk; parents and staff press board over layoffs and classroom aides

Board elects Jocelyn Vargas president in 5–2 vote after heated debate over outside campaign spending and union ties

Votes at a glance: Board approves leadership slate, appointments and multiple consent and business items

Three Coachella Valley Unified board members sworn in; brief remarks follow