The CCUSD School Board settled the major business of voting on the budget and appointing the new Superintendent after taking care of the LCAP and considering the CTE. The budget was approved, and the new Superintendent will be Dr. Alfonso Jimenez.
On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the CCUSD Board of Education met to discuss state priorities for the 2025-26 Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), review Career Technical Education (CTE) program spending, and approve both the district budget and the appointment of a new superintendent.
Dr. Angela Baxter presented the state priorities section of the LCAP. Among the highlights: all eight district schools were reported to be in good repair, and 92% of those surveyed agreed that “teachers, staff, and adults really care about students.” Additionally, 87% of families agreed that schools are safe spaces. The district also met the state indicator for access to a broad course of study, with an increase to 2,132 AP courses taken during the 2024-25 school year.
Community Budget Advisory Committee Chair Mara Bushansky presented the annual report and urged the board to examine completion rates in CTE pathways such as sports medicine, theater and others. The district spends $1 million annually in general funds on CTE, and Bushansky suggested exploring grant opportunities and local partnerships with tech companies. “Some students are taking these courses just as electives,” Bushansky noted.
Board member Lindsay Carlson offered that “not every student who starts a CTE pathway will complete it,” and said she currently saw no downside to participation.
Superintendent Dr. Brian Lucas said that while completion rates are important, “they are not the be-all, end-all.” He emphasized intent and access over strict completion metrics: “Are we getting folks into programs they are interested in?”
Board President Triston Ezidore called for a deeper review of CTE structures, saying, “completion does matter. If students aren’t finishing these pathways, maybe they’re better suited to a one-year elective format — especially if we’re spending $1 million a year.”
The board expressed interest in revisiting a previously postponed discussion about grant opportunities and revenue generation to offset recent budget cuts. That conversation, originally agendized earlier this year, has been delayed due to more pressing concerns around layoffs and program reductions.
Board member Brian Guerrero acknowledged Bushansky’s concerns and the importance of CTE-specific funding. “CTE is really that career pathway. Having a broad variety of electives is great, but we have specific money and obligations when in comes to technical education.”
The school board voted unanimously to increase Office of Child Development (OCD) program fees, effective January 1, 2026.
Guerrero noted that very few families are on a sliding scale in the data presented, compared to families receiving full state subsidies and paying market rate.
Board member Andrew Lachman said raising OCD fees was necessary and “a good step in the right direction.”
Board member Stephanie Loredo agreed, emphasizing the importance of removing enrollment barriers. “More than one family has said their continued economic stability depend on OCD,” she said, referring to the subsidized child care program.
The board unanimously approved the 2025-26 district budget. The plan included a $4.2 million reduction, largely driven by layoffs, with an additional $2.5 million cut in employee benefits such as overtime and extra assignments, $500,000 in books and supplies, and $1 million in contracted expenditures.
With a new budget comes a new superintendent. In a unanimous vote, the board appointed Dr. Alfonso Jimenez as the new CCUSD Superintendent. Dr. Jiménez currently serves as superintendent of schools for Hacienda La Puente Unified School District (HLPUSD) in the City of Industry, a district with 15,480 students and 27 schools.
Stepping down from the role, Dr. Brian Lucas announced that he is retiring at the end of this academic year to attend to some family matters in Florida.
How the board and new leadership navigate staff layoffs and a push to align spending with student needs will shape the school year ahead.
Clara Carvalho
