Calexico Unified certifies interim finances; superintendent schedules March 25 meeting on declining enrollment and possible 2027–28 closures

The Calexico Unified School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously March 12 to adopt a positive second interim financial certification and approved several vendor and program agreements.

Superintendent Edwin Jimenez told the board the district will hold a community meeting at the CAP Center on March 25 to explain “why we’re in this situation” and begin a public process about declining enrollment and the possibility of closing a school for the 2027–28 school year. “That meeting will take place on March 25 at the CAP Center,” Jimenez said. He emphasized the discussion is part of a process and that no closure decisions have been made.

The finance presentation, delivered as the district’s second interim report, showed funded and projected figures the business office said inform the certification. Presenters cited an actual ADA (average daily attendance) of 7,227.97 and a funded three-year ADA of about 7,545. Business staff said continuing declines in enrollment and volatility in the LCFF calculator and COLA assumptions have driven pressure on revenue and projections. The presentation estimated the current picture could translate to roughly $2,800,000 less in LCFF revenue under the calculator used for the report.

Business staff framed the vote as a positive certification rather than a qualified or negative finding. The board approved the fiscal report by voice vote, recorded 5–0 in favor. Trustee X moved the motion and Trustee Y seconded (recorded on the meeting minutes), and the board accepted the business office’s recommendation to certify positively.

The presentation also outlined recent cost-management steps and one-time revenue developments: the district said it has reduced projected expenditures and received restricted funds tied to student-support and professional-development grants that increase restricted fund balances. Officials noted the district continues to spend more than 73% of its funds on salaries and benefits and that reserve levels remain low compared with typical comfort levels; presenters said reserves rose slightly (reported around 7.3% to about 7.4% in discussion) but remain below commonly recommended thresholds.

Officials highlighted program investments that are expected to produce savings or reimbursements—most notably an energy infrastructure modernization project—and said the district will continue micro-level budget reviews. Presenters also recapped recent staffing reductions tied to declining enrollment: across prior years the district reported multiple certificated and classified position reductions as enrollments fell.

At the same meeting the board approved by unanimous vote a set of action items, including an agreement with Big Schools Assemblies to provide social-emotional assemblies at a district school, a mural contract with Rainforest Art Project for William Moreno Junior High, a multiyear agreement with the Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program (IVROP) covering 07/01/2026–06/30/2029, recognition of the district booster club for fiscal year 2025–26, and a resolution authorizing cooperative procurement of technology from Dell Marketing. Each of those motions passed 5–0.

Public comment included a lengthy parent complaint. Graciela Batani asked the board to remove a staff member, Ms. Davila Zaragoza, from her 5‑year‑old son’s case and said an administrator (Ms. Noriega) had been monitoring her social media. Batani said the March 6 interaction in class left her in medical distress and described inconsistent implementation of her child’s behavior intervention plan; she concluded, “Remove Ms. Davila from my son’s case.” The board did not take immediate personnel action during the meeting; the comment was entered into the public record.

The meeting also opened with recognitions: the Calexico High School mock trial team and coaches were honored after the team’s first-year return to competition. A message from Judge Marco Nunez was read by student Luna Carrasco; judges awarded two $500 scholarships to students Valeria Renteria and Luna Carrasco. The board also recognized robotics teams—Enrique Camarena Junior High and Calexico High School—after a January competition in which district teams placed among the top finishers.

Next steps: the district will hold the March 25 community meeting at the CAP Center (5:30 p.m., as announced) to present details and take public input on enrollment trends and the process around potential school closures for 2027–28. The board will continue to review interim and estimated‑actual financial reports and is scheduled to revisit fiscal items at the June interim cycle.