Central Unified board approves $2 million LCSSP grant for restorative PBIS training

The Central Unified School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved acceptance of a $2 million LCSSP grant on May 27, 2025, to fund districtwide training in restorative practices embedded within Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lopez told the board the grant will focus on strengthening tier 1 supports across the district and pay for training, coaching and measurement tools. "If we don't provide the appropriate training to ensure those systems ... then there's no sense in having any support staff," Dr. Lopez said.

District leaders said the contract will fund multiple cohorts of administrators and teachers, beginning next school year, and that the training vendor — the only one the district identified that integrates PBIS with culturally relevant restorative practices — will provide a PBIS/restorative matrix and implementation modules. Dr. Lopez said the plan calls for six cohorts in year one and tools to measure fidelity, including Panorama surveys and site-level rubric data.

Trustee Jesse Carrillo pressed for assurance that training would translate into classroom practice and not simply shift behavior problems elsewhere. "How do we ensure after we provide training ... there is fidelity in the support systems that we put in place?" Carrillo asked. Dr. Lopez said the district will use a multiyear approach and baseline/endpoint measures to track progress: "We are looking at a 5-year plan ... a matrix with those restorative approaches embedded into the PBIS framework ... and Panorama questions" to measure fidelity and self-efficacy.

Interim Superintendent Dr. O'Brien emphasized that stronger tier 1 systems reduce the need for higher-level interventions and said the district will integrate the training with existing MTSS efforts. Trustee Sellers confirmed the work builds on trainings already provided locally and that the grant is intended to expand, not replace, current efforts.

The board approved the grant on a 7–0 vote with a motion from Trustee Croffon and a second from Trustee Carrillo. Trustees asked for follow-up reporting and a workshop to review fidelity metrics and progress once cohorts begin implementation.

School officials said year-one measures include cohort-level Panorama survey improvements (a stated target discussed with the vendor was a minimum 3.5% increase on selected Panorama items at cohort sites) and fidelity checks using the vendor's matrix. The district also plans administrative cohort training before teachers return for the next school year so that site leaders and staff begin implementation from a common baseline.

Board members and staff emphasized that the grant-funded training is intended to reduce classroom disruptions, better support students within regular classrooms, and avoid over-identification for special education by strengthening whole-school prevention systems.

Administration recommended approval; the board approved the recommendation and directed staff to return with progress updates and a workshop on implementation and fidelity measures.