News Summary
The Coronado Unified School District Board of Trustees met to discuss critical budget issues amid declining student enrollment. They approved measures for early reading assessments and health materials while addressing staffing changes potentially impacting arts programs. The board aims to achieve basic aid status in upcoming years, despite facing significant financial challenges. Future actions include a special meeting and a comprehensive report on special education.
Coronado, CA – The Coronado Unified School District (CUSD) Board of Trustees concluded the 2024-2025 school year with a meeting on June 18, 2025, where they approved several key items amid ongoing financial challenges. The board faced concerns regarding budget cuts and potential staffing changes due to an anticipated decline in student enrollment.
During the meeting, which started earlier than usual, the board approved the agenda while deferring two items for further discussion. Superintendent Mueller emphasized the need for more detailed discussions concerning the board’s self-evaluation and existing board policies. A closed session was held to assess the superintendent’s performance and discuss negotiations regarding labor and real property, but no actions were reported when the meeting returned to open session.
The board unanimously passed motions on several important matters. These included the approval of the consent calendar, an early reading difficulties screener for elementary students, and the adoption of teen health instructional materials for Coronado Middle School’s Physical Education classes. Additionally, they adopted the annual resolution regarding the Education Protection Account (EPA) and the annual budget overview for parents, as well as the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP).
Deputy Superintendent Salamanca presented the 2025-26 annual budget, noting that it would be subject to modifications based on state adoption. The CUSD is aiming to achieve basic aid status by the 2027-28 fiscal year; however, the district carries annual Redevelopment Agency (RDA) debts totaling $400,000. Despite these challenges, CUSD projects to conclude its first year of basic aid with a reserve of $1.7 million, fulfilling state reserve requirements.
Concerns raised by the public regarding potential budget cuts highlighted fears over the impact on arts programs and staffing. CUSD is preparing for the possibility of approximately 200 fewer students in the coming years, prompting discussions about staff reductions to address budget deficits. Nevertheless, the district is working towards enhancing resources without resorting to staff layoffs. The board unanimously passed a motion to address necessary budget reductions or revenue enhancements for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Furthermore, a proposed budget unveiled during the meeting indicated an ongoing deficit, revealing a forecasted need for an additional $1.4 million in reserves. The board took steps to declare the property at 199 Sixth Street as “exempt surplus property” and extended its lease with the Department of the Navy for another six months.
The board also approved amendments to employment contracts for Deputy Superintendent Salamanca and Superintendent Mueller, delaying their scheduled 2.5% salary increases until July 2027. To foster community among students, they unanimously adopted a new policy granting off-campus lunch privileges to ninth-grade students starting this fall.
Additionally, Senior Director of Learning Dr. Megan Battle was present to address inquiries regarding the Local Performance Indicator Self-Reflection. The meeting also included reflections from board members and the superintendent, primarily focusing on the recent high school graduation events.
Looking ahead, a comprehensive report on CUSD’s special education program is scheduled for the fall agenda. Following the June 18 meeting, there will be no board meeting in July, with the next regular meeting set for August 21, 2025. A special meeting will be held prior to this, details of which will be communicated to the public in due course.
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Additional Resources
- Coronado Unified School District Board Meeting
- Wikipedia: Coronado, California
- CUSD Budget Gap Solutions
- Google Search: Coronado Unified School District budget deficit
- CUSD Teachers’ Pay Increase Negotiations
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Coronado Unified School’s Borrowing for Budget
- Google News: Coronado Unified School District
