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TUSD presents LCAP progress and a budget forecast showing near-term deficits
Summary
Superintendent and staff reported year-two LCAP results and local indicators showing gains in course access, college-career readiness and school climate; finance staff presented a proposed 2025-26 unrestricted budget and multi-year projections that use one-time reserves and project near-term deficits.
Torrance Unified School District trustees heard an end-of-year accountability and finance briefing Monday that combined Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) progress with the district's proposed 2025-26 general fund budget.
Superintendent Dr. Stowe highlighted student achievements, including 34 Torrance students invited to the National Invention Convention and rising access to AP and CTE pathways. "We continue to be the leader... in the number of students that we send to this program," Stowe said, and noted increases in UC A-G completion and the college-career indicator (CCI).
Education staff reviewed the five local indicators: basic services, implementation of state standards, course access, school climate and parent engagement. Dr. Ky told trustees the district met expectations for basic services and reported gains in course access, including increases in AP participation and in CTE pathway completion.
Finance staff presented the proposed 2025-26 unrestricted general fund budget and multi-year projections. The presentation described assumptions tied to LCFF, ADA and recommended COLAs and showed that the district expects to operate with planned deficit spending in the near term as negotiated salary settlements and one-time reserves affect fund balance. "Our district is expected to operate through deficit spending," one staff presenter said, noting the impact of recent settlements and planned use of committed reserves.
Trustees asked about the CCI (reported around 68.3 percent) and whether the district can expand pathways such as IB, pre-apprenticeships and work-based learning to raise the indicator. Staff said CCI can be met through multiple pathways — AP tests, A-G completion, CTE pathways and other approved options — and stressed work to expand early college, dual-language pathways and RTI supports.
The board opened and closed duly noticed public hearings on adoption of the 2025-26 LCAP and budget with no speakers; final approval of both documents is scheduled for a June 17 special meeting.
Staff said they will return with refined budget numbers once negotiations conclude and un-audited actuals are available later in August or September.
