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TUSD presents proposed $10 million in administrative reductions; trustees press on staffing and transparency
Summary
Education leaders presented a study-session package of department-level reductions and vacancy savings aimed at closing a $10 million gap in the maintenance and operations budget, including eliminating about 52 FTE (many vacant) and reducing travel and consultant costs; trustees requested more detail on specific positions and confirmation of long-term savings.
District finance leaders told the governing board on March 10 that they are pursuing department-level reductions and vacancy savings to achieve a $10 million target in the non-desegregation portion of the maintenance and operations budget for fiscal 2026–27.
"The overall goal is to achieve a $10 million reduction in the non-desegregation portion of M&O for next fiscal year," Chief Financial Officer Ricky Hernandez said, summarizing prior February actions and new department proposals that together produce roughly $6.8 million in reductions plus projected vacancy and attrition savings to reach the target.
Hernandez said departments submitted a mix of operating cuts and position eliminations that, in aggregate, reduce about 52 full-time equivalents; roughly 36 of those positions are currently vacant and about 15 are filled. He said staff tried to minimize impacts on school-facing personnel by focusing reductions largely in administrative functions and by recoding some positions to other funding sources when allowable.
Board members pressed for detail on specific recommendations. Trustee Ekstrom asked about facilities positions flagged for elimination — including a sheet-metal fabricator and a leased warehouse employee — and noted potential cost trade-offs if work were outsourced. "If we have to outsource it, it could be more than what we're paying someone who's actually just working the whole year," she said.
Superintendent Dr. Trujillo and CFO Hernandez said some cuts come from eliminating vacant roles or recoding positions to desegregation or grant funds; where positions are currently filled, the district said it will identify whether individuals would be displaced or budgets recoded. Trustees also discussed reductions to travel and conference budgets, consultant use and overtime controls; several trustees expressed concern about eliminating overtime for staff who support after-school activities and asked that cuts be applied thoughtfully.
Administration will publish the departmental proposals for public comment, incorporate feedback and return with final recommended reductions on March 31. Hernandez said the package submitted at the March 10 meeting generated about $4.4 million in department proposals; combined with prior February reductions and projected vacancy savings, staff expect to reach the $10 million goal.
If approved, the reductions will be incorporated into next year's budget; the board asked staff to provide organizational charts and additional detail on positions subject to elimination before final action.
