Board Brief: September 9, 2026

Welcoming Our 2026-27 Student Trustees

The VCUSD Board of Education welcomed three student trustees for the 2026-27 school year. Sarai Portis, an 11th-grade student at Jesse Bethel High School; Samara Williams Adams, a 12th-grade student at John Finney High School; and Ibrahim Edais, a 12th-grade student at Vallejo High School, took the oath of office. As student trustees, they will bring student perspectives to board discussions and help ensure students across the district have a voice in decisions affecting their schools and educational experiences.

Caliber Change Makers Charter Renewal Petition

The Governing Board held a public hearing on the renewal petition for Caliber ChangeMakers Charter School. During the hearing, representatives presented the petition, and members of the public had an opportunity to comment. District staff is reviewing the petition in accordance with state law and expects to present their findings and recommendations by the end of September. The board is scheduled to consider the renewal petition at its regular meeting on Oct. 7, 2026.

Emergency Cleanup at Former Grant Elementary School Update

The Governing Board approved Resolution No. 5162, affirming that emergency conditions remain at the former Grant Elementary School site because of repeated trespassing, vandalism, and fire-related structural damage. To address safety hazards and protect the surrounding community, the board authorized up to $809,597.30 for demolition, hazardous materials removal, site cleanup, and debris removal. The work will be paid for using district funds reserved for major facility and property projects. The emergency declaration allows the district to move forward with this critical work immediately.

State law requires the Governing Board to review the emergency work at the former Grant Elementary School site at each regular board meeting until the work is complete. Because safety concerns remain and additional work is needed, at least four of the five board members must vote to continue the emergency action.

2025-26 Unaudited Actuals Financial Report

The Governing Board approved the district’s year-end financial report for 2025-26. VCUSD ended the year with $46.23 million in its General Fund, but nearly $30 million of that money can only be used for specific programs and expenses. The remaining $16.64 million is available for broader district needs, leaving VCUSD with limited financial flexibility for a district of its size. During the year, the district spent $5.57 million more than it received and used $42.95 million from its unrestricted funding to help support programs with designated funding. The budget cuts approved last spring are not yet reflected in these numbers; their impact will first appear in the district’s December financial report. Improving VCUSD’s financial position will depend on achieving the planned staffing and benefit savings while continuing to carefully control costs.

Thank you for staying engaged with VCUSD

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Thank you for staying engaged with VCUSD.