The City Council will return on August 11, 2025, taking on a lengthy consent calendar and some urgent action items.
Most crucial, in the eyes of many in the community, is Action Item 2, which has the potential to keep CCUSD under local control, or relegate it to the supervision of the Los Angeles County Department of Education. The current budget shortfall at CCUSD will require that the county step into ensure that the district can meet standards.
There has been discussion about the city stepping up to support the district. Finding these funds means the council must consider deferring on some capital improvements projects that have already been given a green light.
The legal standard for financial flexibility means that CCUSD must demonstrate to both the county and the State Department of Education that it can meet its obligations over the next three years, as demonstrated by reserve funds of 3%. Currently, the District’s reserve stands at less than 1%.
There must be an additional $2.5 million annually for this CCUSD budget and the next two to bring the District up to the minimum standard.
Traditionally, the city and the district have been financially separate entities, but many school districts in the state receive significant support from the municipalities they serve. For CCUSD to lean on the city to shore up the shortfall would not be unique.
School Board members consider it crucial.
Triston Ezidore, the President of the School Board, stated “CCUSD is in a moment of deep fiscal crisis. Without intervention, the District faces devastating cuts that will jeopardize student outcomes, decimate key programs, and trigger the loss of local governance.”
School Board Vice President Stephanie Loredo has noted “Since 2024, CCUSD has eliminated 67 positions, combined with cuts in other expenses, we have reduced our expenditures by more than $10 million dollars. Even with this tremendous two year course correction, the district must cut another $4 million this year in order to remain in good standing.”
The district’s greatest expense is people.
“Salary and benefits comprise about 90% of our operating budget and the next round of cuts will have a substantial impact as essential positions and popular programs will be considered,” Loredo emphasized. “It is no longer a matter of careful planning and collapsing responsibilities; more cuts mean students will lose access to the very programs that make our schools desirable.”
To keep CCUSD independent of county oversight requires that funding from the city needs to be approved at the August 11 meeting. This will allow the District to include it as an accounting note when preparing its unaudited actual financial report, due to the LA COE in September
The council will meet at 7 pm in the Mike Balkman Council Chambers at City Hall.
Judith Martin-Straw
