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Community split on proposed term-limits ballot measure as board weighs fiscal timing
Summary
Speakers at the meeting were sharply divided over a proposed ballot measure to impose term limits on trustees; opponents argued the roughly $300,000 estimated cost would drain resources during fiscal distress, while proponents said limits would prevent entrenched governance.
A proposed resolution to place term limits on the school board drew both opposition and support from the community on Wednesday.
Leticia Covarrubias testified against agenda item 7.02a, saying the district is in fiscal distress and that spending approximately $300,000 on a ballot measure to impose term limits would divert funds from students. "Every dollar matters during fiscal distress," she told trustees.
Several speakers echoed that view, arguing the cost is inappropriate while the district is addressing a multiyear budget shortfall. One commenter noted that out of 937 California districts, very few use term limits for governance and warned that turnover can remove institutional knowledge needed to manage a $320 million budget.
Other commenters pressed for term limits as a check on perceived entrenched power. Manuel Maldonado called for limits to prevent problematic board behavior and said the community should have fresh leadership. The debate sometimes became heated in public remarks, with accusations and personal attacks directed at trustees and other community members.
The board did not vote on a final measure during this meeting; public remarks underscored a split in the community and many speakers urged the board to weigh fiscal costs against governance aims before proceeding to a ballot proposal.
What happens next: The term-limits proposal remains on the agenda for future consideration; community members asked the board to clarify cost estimates and timing if it elects to place the measure on a ballot.
