Union and public raise concerns about legal costs, program cuts and textbook access as district reports 2024–25 unaudited results

CARPINTERIA, Calif. — The Carpinteria Unified School District on Sept. 9 presented its unaudited 2024–25 financials while community members and employee representatives raised concerns over high legal fees, program cuts and students’ access to textbooks.

Assistant Superintendent Jason Caff told the board the district closed the fiscal year with a total general‑fund ending balance of about $4.9 million and an unrestricted (available) balance of about $2.1 million — roughly a 5.1% reserve, which includes the state‑required minimum 3% contingency. Caff said special‑education expenditures exceeded special‑education revenues significantly, requiring an unrestricted contribution of roughly $5.8 million in 2024–25.

Union and public concerns Union representatives and public commenters criticized the district's legal spending and program reductions. A union speaker said the district had paid about $750,000 to a single law firm since January and referenced a $4.2 million settlement tied to prior cases. The same speakers blamed program cuts — including the reported cancellation of GATE and alterations to the Carpinteria Family School — on fiscal messaging that, they said, exaggerated potential costs.

A recurring theme in public comment addressed textbooks and homework. Teacher leaders told the board that, after the district retrieved student devices and changed homework expectations, several middle‑school courses began the 2025–26 year without consistent student access to physical textbooks. The speakers argued the district’s approach risks noncompliance with the Williams settlement requirement to provide instructional materials and called on administrators to rectify access at home and at school.

District responses and context Superintendent Rigby said the district maintains textbooks and computers for student use during class and that some assignments are intentionally designed not to rely on take‑home textbooks. She told the board staff will continue reviewing materials availability and noted the district already maintains policies and notices for parents about instructional material opt‑outs and access.

Financial detail reported (key figures reported by district staff) - District enrollment: 1,812 students (a decline of about 103 students year‑to‑year); roughly 30 of the students who left resided outside Carpinteria and returned to other districts. - General fund total revenues (combined restricted/unrestricted): about $41.8 million for 2024–25; expenditures about $41.0 million. - Unrestricted ending fund balance (6/30/2025): approximately $2.1 million; included required 3% reserve of about $1.2 million and an unappropriated balance above the minimum of about $868,000. - Special education: roughly $2.5 million in restricted revenue versus about $8.1 million in special‑education expenditures; unrestricted contribution of approximately $5.8 million to cover the difference. - Warrants approved at the meeting totaled $1,130,878.84 for the period 08/08/2025–09/04/2025.

What’s next Board members and district officials will monitor reserves and return with budget updates. Public and union speakers urged the board to reallocate funds from legal contingencies to classrooms and to prioritize restoring classroom programs and instructional supports.