Coachella Valley Unified outlines stabilization timeline; trustees press for more review time
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Summary
District finance staff presented a stabilization timeline showing initial reductions of $46 million, a final $57 million plan, and a need for an additional $20 million in ongoing cuts; trustees urged more time and special sessions to review impacts before adoption.
Coachella Valley Unified School District business services presented an updated stabilization timeline on Nov. 13 showing multi-year reductions intended to close the district's structural deficit.
Assistant Superintendent Julie Vigil told the board the initial stabilization plan called for $46,000,000 in reductions and that the final adopted plan now reflects estimated ongoing reductions of $57,000,000; she said the district still needs roughly $20,000,000 in ongoing reductions to stabilize long-term finances.
"The initial stabilization plan was a reduction of 46,000,000 with the final plan being approved with the estimated reductions of 57,000,000 that are going to be ongoing in the 3 out years," Vigil said, and outlined a timeline for draft review in December and board approval in January, with implementation beginning in February–April as the district updates first- and second-interim budgets.
Trustees pressed staff for more time to review recommendations and asked for additional meetings and clearer, earlier distribution of materials so the board can fully evaluate impacts to programs and positions. Trustee Garcia said receiving draft plans with only days to analyze them does not allow "the due diligence" the board needs before making decisions she called "big" and potentially harmful.
Board members and staff discussed budget basics and timing: the superintendent's office noted a $300 million scale for district budgets and that 75–80% of funds typically go to payroll. Several trustees asked staff to consider special sessions and additional briefings so the board can understand the effects on programs such as parent liaisons, transportation, and special education supports.
What's next: The budget committee will continue work in late November and December; the board will receive a draft stabilization plan in December and is scheduled to consider adoption in January, with second-interim projections and updated attendance and revenue figures to follow.