[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6185591,"mediaKeyId","5081542-57ecc9b1f75dd55932e1923d1f07ca3f","parentId",5081542,"title","Board adopts 2025–26 budget showing $5.6 million deficit; trustees adopt related fiscal resolutions","audioSeconds",4083,"startMs",5686120,"endMs",9769440,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5081542-57ecc9b1f75dd55932e1923d1f07ca3f&start=5686&end=9769","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5081542-57ecc9b1f75dd55932e1923d1f07ca3f/thumbnail_5686120.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6185591/California/Board-adopts-202526-budget-showing-56-million-deficit-trustees-adopt-related-fiscal-resolutions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185591-fd3f9ad11adc32e1d060448b6779556b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773654070&Signature=UoE2EKzMGs55Yafd0qkM8JXlmb0vd0fQIy4HozlvvxWBuwBkcKq1s4gbJTKCTB6umYcNOvf0iz2x8~M2XPv8NJ7ztL1OAUUTdSuHGUohHeMuPiNZ1wlhMZrvE4UOQixiUbFuupbim6rmr3HnOLBUK9~HNIEN0kdQ3Yy3IpvmGBE2WcFQwNFn3~h8TehQOnz2IaTBVi1zne9Jbri27Rd09wKKcPq7HOcLRvBRTfIgiWu-REE4LEKMxHaNaCBeNx-TH2UqnUM6x4KQ0yxTp7j51lUDmjczYznt00IAOH8oNK9DOmPxkoNqAMMLc8h97z4FyX7fEoZB59LKgebPbgRKqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tehachapi Unified","date","2025-06-26T20:43:52.437Z","article","The Tehachapi Unified School District Board of Trustees adopted the district's 2025–26 budget and several ancillary fiscal resolutions on June 24, approving a budget that projects $62.2 million in revenues and $67.8 million in expenditures for the coming year, a planned deficit of approximately $5.6 million.

Chief business staff told trustees the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) allocation for 2025–26 is projected at about $49.2 million, a 2.4% increase from the prior year. Staff said the district's three-year projections continue to meet the state's minimum required reserve of 3%, though the board's preferred 9% reserve goal is not yet achievable; staff forecast an improved reserve position in subsequent years if corrective actions are taken.

At the meeting the board approved, by roll call, a package of routine fiscal items: the LCFF budget overview for parents and the 2025–26 Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) annual update; Resolution 01JUN25 identifying uses for Education Protection Account funds (EPA) for teacher salaries and benefits; Resolution 02JUN25 committing portions of the ending fund balance for textbook adoption, educational technology and OPEB liabilities; and Resolution 03JUN25 updating delegated signature authority to remove the retired superintendent and add the incoming superintendent and other district leaders.

Board staff described the adopted budget as showing deficit spending that the district will monitor and manage through multi-year planning and alignment with the incoming superintendent's priorities. Trustee questions focused on reserve levels and the operational impacts of any additional deficit-mitigation measures.

Votes on budget and related resolutions were unanimous where recorded; Clerk Wood was absent for roll calls. The board approved the adopted budget and the fiscal resolutions on 6-0 roll call votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular Board Meeting | 06/24/2025 - 05:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Tehachapi Unified trustees approved the district's 2025–26 budget, which projects $62.2 million in revenue and $67.8 million in expenses (a $5.6 million shortfall). The board also adopted Education Protection Account and fund-balance resolutions and approved the LCFF/LCAP items by roll call votes.","taxTitle","Tehachapi Unified, School Districts, California","taxId",59437,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6185596,"Board approves Brian Bell's three-year contract and names him board secretary; appointments unanimous",181,9022370,9204220,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5081542-57ecc9b1f75dd55932e1923d1f07ca3f&start=9022&end=9204","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5081542-57ecc9b1f75dd55932e1923d1f07ca3f/thumbnail_9022370.jpg","/articles/6185596/California/Board-approves-Brian-Bells-three-year-contract-and-names-him-board-secretary-appointments-unanimous","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185596-be4bfcf24ba0f03ebda79f404e036126/orig.mp4?Expires=1773654070&Signature=VjafvkKDX7IhpiRE0a2TVb~dvc7OalduKW6lOFP018H~S7mrpGsKXmb5TqlGJXtunytXuGlVsPc04VnlxhLBrJPUzp~LHIEPXRNhSToBCuGr8Mrlv5kyCJgGqg1otvrctQRL8QowYRrQ3JfTxiUHiqYGe34eiiRY7TrTRCCQu8eW0jJ4E87CG33eDBnookH0VRadozpyoWio39s46BQ-aB5vy1CPN~pkqoPsYmQloTpC7WIq5ONBjdPpr0mC-kwpacyhQHV5geVIHMA4ZNtVtk1VG70MWk7De2hhPJluaNmFjp3t40qw6~h5woYWOYSPwRpGdkzKONJYxWoYKken9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tehachapi Unified School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved an amended employment contract for Brian Bell on June 24, hiring him as superintendent for a three-year term that begins July 1, 2025, and ends June 30, 2028. The board also appointed Bell to serve as secretary to the board, a role the district's bylaws assign to the superintendent.

Board staff described the contract amendment as necessary to correct a typographical issue in the circulated document. Vice President Kelly moved to approve the contract and the motion passed 6-0 following a roll call vote.

The board next considered appointment of the superintendent to the statutory office of board secretary. Under Tehachapi Unified School District board bylaw 9122, the governing board appoints the superintendent to serve as secretary to the board; the secretary is responsible for maintaining accurate records of board proceedings. Trustee Napier moved the appointment, which passed on a 6-0 roll call vote.

Both votes were recorded by board secretary Deanna Barnes and reflected the board's full support for the incoming superintendent in advance of his July 1 start date.","The Tehachapi Unified board approved an amended employment contract for Brian Bell as superintendent for July 1, 2025–June 30, 2028, and appointed him secretary to the board pursuant to board bylaw 9122; both votes were 6-0.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6185601,"Dozens of parents and athletes urge changes after complaints about girls wrestling coach; supporters back other coaches",1349,3250190,4599760,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5081542-57ecc9b1f75dd55932e1923d1f07ca3f&start=3250&end=4599","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5081542-57ecc9b1f75dd55932e1923d1f07ca3f/thumbnail_3250190.jpg","/articles/6185601/California/Dozens-of-parents-and-athletes-urge-changes-after-complaints-about-girls-wrestling-coach-supporters-back-other-coaches","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185601-d6efcc2b22b30ded3656d6666daa3e97/orig.mp4?Expires=1773654070&Signature=NK9bse2Jc-Dd1~lSJ7XJ5HCyvWWGJ0dEMq10ZCHgPAjx~9RVdDDOFHQ0erfrR4~~10TCqLa6HFfSYhzp64ioD0-AO~rFUb-qfxmGvAORfYV-uM6Khuh~4Fs9W1sBrbOE3a6J1KK8EV0MvzNLudvK69sq3ek-UhilOmk5JYlWm3vP14fgkWZaXxTnfQyPvZccKJrMjUcJUp8gnwmRTb-z5kmyHev4eO6MmpNYIeOUcFO6ZbkF-lgsDC38nODJCMd5tYCSj8px~SjyryVtkOXmiJTEnFPA9iXpAug~ZpyIhTS66sdF2hczSuC0xsaF8mGMwOgymEkXa0AeePQdQ-uhmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of students, parents and community members addressed the Tehachapi Unified School District Board of Trustees on June 24 over coaching at the high school wrestling program, with multiple female wrestlers describing rough treatment, lack of communication and favoritism under varsity coach Curtis Nelson and others urging the district to retain or rehire coaches Desi and Marcus.

Several students described physical roughness during training and said they felt dismissed when they raised concerns. Jaslyn Ramirez, a student, said coaches \"pushed and shoved\" her mother and described teammates being made to wrestle above their weight classes to \"help him look good.\" Rosalyn Gray handed the board a written report she said detailed the girls' complaints and asked trustees to review it.

Other students and parents described repeated instances of what they called disrespectful or demeaning comments and inconsistent communication. Belladonna Schmidke, a first-year wrestler, said she has \"a learning disability\" and that she did not feel the coach provided accommodations; she also said she observed the coach appearing intoxicated at fundraisers.

At the same time, multiple community members, current and former wrestlers and parents spoke in support of coaches Desi (Desi Lovingus in testimony) and Marcus Coates, praising their mentorship and contributions to the program. Marcus Coates described a free summer program and outreach to neighboring communities; parent Marianne Coates warned that poor coaching decisions could cause \"a mass exodus of talent\" from Tehachapi wrestling. Several speakers said they had formed or joined private clubs, including NoMad Wrestling Club, where they found a more supportive environment.

Trustee Napier said she had discussed concerns about the wrestling coach with the board president and plans to forward requests to the incoming superintendent on July 1; she also said she intends to advocate for an independent review of the decision-making process surrounding reappointment. The board did not place any investigation or personnel action on the June 24 agenda and took no vote.

What happens next: Trustees and parents said they will send documentation and formal requests to Superintendent Brian Bell after his start date; the district did not announce a timeline for any personnel review.","Public commenters at the June 24 Tehachapi Unified board meeting accused the varsity girls wrestling coach of rough treatment and undermining female coaches; many community members urged rehiring or retention of other coaches and asked the district to investigate the hiring process. The board took no formal action.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6185606,"Trustee seeks independent probe after months of special education complaints; board defers until new superintendent starts",239,4340510,4580340,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5081542-57ecc9b1f75dd55932e1923d1f07ca3f&start=4340&end=4580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5081542-57ecc9b1f75dd55932e1923d1f07ca3f/thumbnail_4340510.jpg","/articles/6185606/California/Trustee-seeks-independent-probe-after-months-of-special-education-complaints-board-defers-until-new-superintendent-starts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185606-e53c2a0b2434e0821d11358ed2e8e106/orig.mp4?Expires=1773654070&Signature=SYE71j0HxWtVu53GO919Q0DZ0zrodNPsBwunZdl3SzyfOLrtS~ARXVajloLx16RKWPZ2Rp5YVi7BkySrpsCsVnH7kLQpKQG5g44mkcejLz1fVLOandYR2x4~CK35dvjmOt5w~sbOl6Re51KDm-mHoBWMvaHgAZfRgUjJLyYX-w~wRDmCcq8I03phYn0ZXh1ZrSkOZY6Nlira4WgFE1Xqd2qcnaD3iEY3QlpeXEUbdbuwHCYzl3HIpHFwXsR68DeS03f6GQqguxOYg5hJJ50gDL3kG2Mt4VvDRsFK7fXQ6qzxPEA07toLzkqKK~XdE0IW6nj9qAFajlK7wSQDfQstOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustee Napier urged the Tehachapi Unified School District Board of Trustees on June 24 to direct an independent investigation into repeated complaints about the district’s special education office, but the board did not act and the matter will be forwarded to the new superintendent when he begins July 1.

Napier said she submitted a written request under board bylaw 9322 to add a closed-session item so the board could consider directing the superintendent to retain an independent investigator. \"As board members, we have an ethical duty to ensure that such allegations are investigated thoroughly, objectively, and independently,\" Napier said during board communications.

The request came after several public commenters described alleged legal noncompliance and poor treatment of families by the special education director. Parent Candi DeVoe told trustees, \"He is a bully. He bullies special needs parents,\" and asked the board to remove the director from the role. Jenny Jolly, another parent, said her son was \"wrongfully arrested on May 7\" following a classroom incident and criticized district handling and records access.

Napier said she asked that, if added to an agenda, the item include focused public comment, a staff presentation on procedures, time for board questions, and identification of follow-up steps such as policy or training changes. She told the board the request was withheld until the new superintendent's start date because of the leadership transition, and said she will forward the request on July 1 and continue to advocate for a \"fair and full review.\"

Board President Kaminski acknowledged the timing constraints tied to the superintendent transition. No motion was made and no formal board action occurred on the investigation request at the June 24 meeting.

Public commenters asked for prompt attention. Rhianna Schultz called the situation \"disgusting\" and urged a special meeting as soon as Brown Act notice requirements allow, saying she was concerned about legal liability and a lack of district communications with affected families.

The district did not announce a timeline or investigative vendor. Trustees said publicly that the matter would be taken up after the incoming superintendent, Brian Bell, assumes duties July 1.

What happens next: The trustee's request and related public comments will be sent to Superintendent Brian Bell on his first day. The board indicated it expects the incoming superintendent to review the materials and determine whether to present an agenda item for board direction or to pursue an independent investigation.","Trustee Napier asked the board to order an independent investigation into allegations about the district’s special education leadership; the request was not placed on tonight’s agenda and will be forwarded to incoming Superintendent Brian Bell on July 1.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board adopts 2025–26 budget showing $5.6 million deficit; trustees adopt related fiscal resolutions

Board approves Brian Bell's three-year contract and names him board secretary; appointments unanimous

Dozens of parents and athletes urge changes after complaints about girls wrestling coach; supporters back other coaches

Trustee seeks independent probe after months of special education complaints; board defers until new superintendent starts