Board adopts resolution aligning trustee pay with Assembly Bill 1390 after contentious public comments

The Coachella Valley Unified School District governing board voted on Dec. 11 to adopt Resolution 2026‑23, aligning trustee compensation with Assembly Bill 1390. The action, listed as agenda item 10.6 and presented by Julie Vigil, drew extensive public comment and debate before the roll‑call vote.

Veronica Duenas, chief steward for the classified employees' union, urged the board to commit to accountable conduct if trustees accept increased compensation and raised concerns about committee conduct and perceived Brown Act violations, saying trustees must be visible and responsive to the community. Multiple public speakers criticized the conduct of one trustee at facilities committee meetings and said community members had been shut down when attempting to speak.

Following public comment, Trustee Gonzales moved to adopt the resolution. The roll‑call vote as recorded in the meeting transcript showed the motion carried; Vice President Valerie Garcia and Trustee Vargas recorded "no" votes while other trustees and the student trustee voted in favor. The motion was announced as passed.

Board members and union representatives emphasized that compensation changes should be accompanied by accountability and adherence to open‑meeting laws. The meeting record shows the district adopted the resolution during the meeting and that community members asked for greater transparency and better committee practices going forward.