At the Oct. 27, 2026 board meeting, the Culver City Unified School Board approved higher teacher salaries and new health benefits as state performance data revealed challenges in the English learner program.
Performance in the district’s English learner (EL) program declined from last year, falling from above the state level to below it. Following a roughly 10% drop in EL enrollment compared to previous years, Board President Loredo requested a double-check to ensure all EL students are being properly captured in the system.
“Were we able to reclassify students or perhaps we are not getting them to complete their tests? That might be a thing too, or they don’t come in,” said Board President Loredo.
Nationally, more than 42 percent of English learners have at least one parent with limited English proficiency, according to the Migration Policy Institute, underscoring the need for schools to engage families directly in languages they understand.
“It concerns me sometimes that the families that need these sorts of things and interventions both in English and math and other spaces, are not the ones that we are hearing from very often,” said Board Member Lindsey Carlson.
Board Member Andrew Lachman pointed out the challenge navigating relationships with school officials. “And then you add the social barriers of how to deal with authority. If you have these programs with the parents in partnership it really improves academic performance,” Lachman said. He advocated for more inclusion of EL parents.
Despite the report’s concerns, district leadership noted that performance metrics do not capture the full picture. The U.S.News & World Report 2026 named five CCUSD elementary schools and the middle school as Star District Honor Award recipients.
“Sometimes we just look at the top level ‘everybody is doing great’, but when we break it down by student group, and break it down by campus, we can really see a sore point,” said Vice President Brian Guerrero about the presentation.
Board members emphasized turning data into actionable strategies.
“It’s important to me to know “what next”, and that’s the question that I have looming. Like how are we going to use this data to improve instruction,” said board member Triston Ezidore.
The presentation also highlighted that in both math and science CCUSD students performed above state averages. Suspension rates remain above the state average across all categories, though they fell below the state average for African American students.
District staff will use the data to construct a new Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), a mandatory three-year framework to direct district resources and improve student outcomes.
“We will work with the district” Director of Teaching and Learning Dr. Garner said “in these areas for continued attention.”
The board unanimously approved the purchase of two electric vehicles and recognized students from elementary through high school for academic achievements.
The board also unanimously approved a new health and welfare benefit package for teachers, providing an increase of $5,478 in total benefits, a 2 percent general salary increase, and a one-time 4 percent off-schedule payment tied to base salaries received during the 2026–2027 school year.
Clara Carvalho
