District staff presented three options to close a structural deficit (reductions roughly $17.5M–$22M) that include staffing reviews, consolidation of facilities functions, and potential elimination or reduction of wellness positions and the Latino Commission contract; trustees and public urged preserving mental-health supports and parent liaisons.
Coachella Valley Unified trustees received a multi-hour AB 2158 ethics training covering Gov. Code §1090 (contracts), the Political Reform Act, Brown Act transparency rules, Form 700 gift-reporting (threshold $630) and new required fiscal training starting 2026.
A John Kelly Elementary parent accused the district of leaving students in mold‑ and possibly asbestos‑contaminated portables; district risk management and the superintendent described an on‑site, supervised review process and said abatement, asbestos/lead testing and a final remediation report are underway and will be made public.
Trustees voted to align compensation with Assembly Bill 1390 by adopting Resolution 2026‑23; the vote passed after public comments that criticized board conduct and urged accountability, and two trustees recorded 'no' votes.
An insurance administrator praised safety for the $43 million North Shore Elementary construction project; the board approved consulting and multiple construction bid awards including Peter Pendleton and Westside sports‑field projects and a parking expansion, all by recorded roll call.
At its organizational meeting the board nominated and elected Thomas Torres as president, Valerie Garcia as vice president and Trini Arredondo as clerk for 2026; closed‑session actions announced appointments including Veil Jones as director of purchasing and Marco Page as coordinator of English learner programs, and reinstatements in two expulsion cases.
District finance staff presented the 2025‑26 first interim report citing a steeper enrollment decline than projected, a $13 million one‑time revenue enhancement moved into the general fund, and a recommended qualified certification with an additional $20 million stabilization commitment to address deficit spending.
Several parents and district staff urged the Coachella Valley Unified School District board to take immediate action after an alleged gun threat at Seaview Elementary and described repeated bullying, gaps in the complaint process, and lack of counseling resources.
District finance staff presented a stabilization timeline showing initial reductions of $46 million, a final $57 million plan, and a need for an additional $20 million in ongoing cuts; trustees urged more time and special sessions to review impacts before adoption.
CVUSD instructional leaders presented a four-phase feedback model tied to a new instructional framework and said the approach has contributed to gains on the California Dashboard across multiple indicators.
