“We are looking at positions to close, but we don’t yet know what the final results will be.” School Board President Stephanie Loredo spoke about the upcoming Special CCUSD School Board Meeting that will be at the District Offices on Irving Place on March 3, 2026.
“We are not the only district that is having to consider these difficult choices. Schools from Pasadena to San Francisco are in similar uncomfortable positions.”
After a partial document from a previous CCUSD budget meeting went viral online, rumors were flying thick and fast about programs ending, and the community has been short on facts and oversupplied with assumptions.
Loredo was pragmatic, but not optimistic. “Nobody is going to be happy, but what else can we do when we have less? To do [the same things that we] did last year will cost us more…Something does have to be cut for us to continue doing business.”
“Just because a position is listed [for closure under the proposed budget] does not mean that it will be among the final list. There are many factors yet to be considered, and reductions in force will not be finalized until May.”
She emphasized that the Tuesday meeting would be looking at possibilities, and not finalizing choices.
Loredo noted the possibility of adding a parcel tax to the November ballot, and said that a drive to collect signatures had just begun last weekend.
The final budget for the district will be submitted by the school board in June.
The school board president was compassionate but clear-eyed. “Everyone should be concerned that California does not fully fund our public schools. We need to look at how we can meet our mandates.”
Judith Martin-Straw
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