Teachers, parents and residents urge board to protect programs and demand transparency on finances

Dozens of community members spoke in the forum section of the board meeting, urging trustees to preserve classroom programs and demanding greater transparency about how the deficit developed.

Matthew Kinnickson, a 30‑year teacher who said he will retire in June, told the board he was "devastated" and asked for accountability and specific answers about administrative overspending and the resignation of a business official. Other speakers asked how proposed reductions (for example, removing late buses, cutting electives like band and chorus, or changing AP-course thresholds) would affect students, and whether programmatic savings cited in earlier presentations were calculated correctly. Several public commenters asked pointed technical questions about how a proposed $900,000 transportation reduction produces a net savings and requested spreadsheets and supporting calculations.

Parents and staff asked the board to consider in‑house special‑education supports, seek grant revenue, review administrative lines for potential freezes, and prioritize classroom instruction over central-office positions. Multiple speakers referenced a recent media report citing the state controller's finding that the district relied on one-time pandemic funds for recurring expenses. Administration acknowledged the controller review, described steps already taken to strengthen internal controls and said it would provide the requested documents.

Quote: “This is people’s lives… The budget exists for them,” a public commenter said, pressing the board to prioritize students and educators.

The board encouraged continued community engagement and said it will incorporate public input as it finalizes options before the adoption deadline.