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Teachers' union and parent raise concerns about SPSA/ELAC compliance and district budget priorities
Summary
A parent and a representative from the teachers' organization urged the Twin Rivers Board to address alleged violations in SPSA/ELAC process and to re-evaluate district spending priorities, citing a shortfall relative to the 55% classroom spending guideline and large transfers to capital reserves.
Public commenters told the board the district needs to address procedural lapses in school site planning and re-evaluate how it allocates general-fund dollars.
Tara Jacobs spoke during the consent period and alleged that at her school the English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) was not consulted as required when the site plan for English learners (SPSA) was developed and submitted to the school site council. "That did not happen at this site and most of the other sites," she said, urging the board to investigate compliance with Ed Code requirements for ELAC involvement.
Later, Britney Ward, representing the teachers' organization True, urged the board to prioritize classroom spending and to address what she described as persistent underinvestment in staff. Ward told trustees that California law requires unified districts to spend at least 55% of general fund expenditures on classroom salaries and benefits and said Twin Rivers "has chronically failed to meet even this legal minimum," alleging that in 2023–24 the district was more than $15,000,000 short of that minimum and that more than $226,000,000 in unrestricted funds were transferred to a special capital reserve over the last five years.
"That means public money meant to reduce class sizes, provide more enrichment for our students, and help TRUSD recruit and retain the best teachers has instead been redirected from our classrooms," Ward said.
Board members did not take immediate action during public comment but acknowledged the issues and will receive related material in future budget and facilities discussions.
Next steps: Trustees will receive additional documentation on budgets and facilities funding in subsequent board materials; public commenters asked for corrective action and clarification of ELAC processes.
