Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Contract Renewal topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
TUSD staff say grant funds will cover Capturing Kids Hearts renewal after public challenge over cuts
Summary
Tehachapi Unified trustees approved a $72,650 renewal of the Capturing Kids Hearts program after a parent and TAT leaders said its restoration undercuts prior budget reductions; district leaders said the renewal is covered by earmarked Title II grant funds and will not affect general‑fund positions.
Jessica Smith, a TAT leader, urged the Tehachapi Unified School District board to remove the Capturing Kids Hearts contract from the consent agenda and discuss it publicly, saying the program’s proposed $72,650 renewal undercuts earlier budget reductions that eliminated staff and student programs. “This is about priorities, transparency, and trust,” Smith said, arguing the contract had been presented previously as a roughly $60,000 cut during budget deliberations and used to justify personnel reductions.
Superintendent Brian Bell responded that the district did not reallocate general‑fund dollars to restore the program. He told the board staff had identified specific grant funding — Title II monies — to cover the contract for one year so the district could plan to build equivalent services internally without immediately affecting positions. “If we were to drop it immediately, it would leave a gap,” Bell said, explaining the one‑year use of restricted funds will buy time to develop an internal initiative.
Trustees pressed staff on timing and transparency. Clerk Wood asked whether the renewal would affect salary‑funded positions; staff confirmed the Title II grant is restricted and not available for general staffing. Several trustees said the size of the contract and the fact it had been listed previously as a budget reduction warranted discussion. After board deliberation, Vice President Kelly moved to approve the renewal and Trustee Cooper seconded; the board approved the item by voice vote.
The action leaves unresolved long‑running questions raised by TAT about how the district prioritizes limited funds. Jessica Smith asked that, if the district continues the initiative, it publicly explain why the expenditure is prioritized over services that were cut in the reduction‑in‑force process. District staff said they will meet with TAT leadership to review the plan for transitioning the program to internal capacity during the coming year.
Procedureally, the item was pulled from the consent agenda for discussion and then approved as a standalone item. The board recorded no further immediate budget changes tied to the renewal; staff cited restricted grant terms as the basis for the funding decision.
Next steps: staff said they will pursue a one‑year transition using Title II funds and begin planning to ramp up an internal program that will replace contracted services in a future year.
