Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Superintendent reports drop in enrollment, highlights safety rollout and bus-driver shortage
Loading...
Summary
Superintendent Andrade reported enrollment down about 1,200 from last year and 1,700 from two years ago, summer-school participation and safety upgrades; the district said metal-detection gates (AWDS) will have a Synergy flag for system-caused tardies and that 21 bus-driver vacancies are being addressed through recruitment and training.
Superintendent Andrade gave the board a comprehensive launch-of-school briefing highlighting summer programs, staffing and operational challenges as the district begins 2025–26.
Andrade said summer-school offerings served more than 5,000 students across roughly 153 course sections, resulting in nearly 3,500 credits earned; 133 students graduated in the summer session. She reported district-wide student enrollment is down approximately 1,200 from this time last year and about 1,700 from two years ago, while staffing is about 187 employees fewer than two years ago.
On safety, district staff described a phased rollout of AWDS metal-detection gates at campuses. Several board members raised concerns after some parents reported students received tardies because of AWDS-related congestion. District leaders said they added a field in Synergy to tag tardies caused by the AWDS rollout so those tardies can be excluded from punitive consequences and monitored for data-driven adjustments. Principals have been instructed to exercise discretion during the initial rollout period.
Transportation remains a critical pressure point: the district reported roughly 21 bus-driver vacancies and is transporting about 1,400 students by bus (approximately 1,300 of those riders attending Chavez and Fairfax campuses). Staff said the district runs CDL training programs to develop internal candidates and is examining whether an hourly wage increase could make PXU positions more competitive relative to contracting costs.
Construction and facilities updates included MetroTech renovations entering construction with West Side Buildings expected by March 2026 and a planned CEE parking structure projected to begin in December 2025 with an anticipated completion in September 2026. The district also described campus-level safety investments (secured entries, perimeter fencing, vAlert protocols) and student-connectedness initiatives such as Freshman Houses, advisories and club rushes.
What’s next: staff will return periodic discipline and attendance reports that distinguish normal tardies from those caused by AWDS and provide follow-up analysis on transportation costs and recruitment strategies.
