New Haven Unified approves unaudited 2023–24 actuals, special‑education plan and multiple board actions

The New Haven Unified School District Board on Sept. 10 voted to accept unaudited actuals for the 2023–24 fiscal year, approved a special‑education early intervening services plan and carried a series of consent and action items spanning personnel, programs and proclamations.

Trisha To, director of fiscal services, told trustees the district’s unaudited actuals show a combined ending balance about $12.1 million higher than projected—about $9.8 million of that from unrestricted funds. She said most unrestricted spending (about 89%) is on salaries and benefits, $26.3 million is listed as committed and $10.5 million is set aside for board priorities and unforeseen events; auditors will review the statements and present final audited reports later this year.

Sarah Kapler, director of special services, presented the district’s 2024 Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS) plan to address significant disproportionality. Kapler reported positive trends: the district is no longer disproportionate for long suspensions, but remains slightly overidentified under the OHI category with a 3.1 rate based on recent data. She said the district will use multi‑tiered systems of support (MTSS), site equity councils, targeted case management and family‑centered interventions to reduce overidentification and support at‑risk students. Kapler said the plan will be submitted to the California Department of Education by Oct. 1 pending board approval.

Board actions at a glance: The board handled a large set of items in a single action block. Notable approvals included denial of a student’s readmission request, approval of a waiver to the physical‑education requirement for a student, adoption of LGBTQIA+ and Filipino American History Month proclamations, adoption of the N‑word resolution, revision of BP 51453 on nondiscrimination/harassment, support for California Proposition 2 (education facilities bond), approval of the unaudited actuals and designation of committed fund balances, adoption of certificated salary updates, approval of provisional internship permits, acceptance of the Proposition 28 arts funding annual report, approval of the CCEIS plan and adoption of an MOU with the Boys & Girls Club San Leandro (the MOU passed with an abstention noted in the record). Consent agenda items 14.1–14.27 were also approved.

Public comment and follow‑up: During public comment, Lydia Edam urged the district to improve remote access to committee meetings, describing waits of 30–45 minutes in Zoom waiting rooms. Vice President Kumar asked the superintendent to provide an update on the Alvarado Elementary media center/maker-space project, which staff said has been delayed at DSA and will be reported to the community.

What’s next: Auditors will review the unaudited actuals; the district will submit the CCEIS plan to CDE by Oct. 1; staff will move forward on follow‑ups including community updates on delayed facilities projects.