Budget Truths and Personnel Cuts – Laura’s Notes on the 04/30/2026 BOE Meeting

The Big News of the 4/30/26 BOE meeting should be the final adoption of the budget. But with two positions potentially on the chopping block, and at least one anonymous letter reportedly circulating encouraging parents to attend the meeting, the focus may shift.

FINANCE

The Board is expected to accept a donation from the Booster Club for the purchase of a new record board for the GLHS weight room.

PERSONNEL

On a personal note, I am thrilled to see the resolution to hire a full-time Italian teacher for CMS and GL.

GL Media Specialist Carina Gonzalez and GL Student Assistance Counselor Casey Nebus are both departing BHPS effective 6/30/26.

The Board will also vote on a resolution to abolish the position of Director of Elementary Education and Intervention and while we can all agree that the additional Administrative positions need to go, we can still acknowledge how Dr. Cordero’s exceptional dedication and expertise benefited our District. It’s a shame that another position wasn’t available for him and we wish him much success in his future endeavors.

There are also three staff resignations effective 6/30/26. From CMS, the district is losing Ryanne Elsherif, Special Education teacher, and Austin Wang, mathematics teacher. From MKM, Megan Mongo, LDTC, is also resigning.

Although it is not clear from the agenda, it has been mentioned that the second Athletic Trainer position is also being eliminated. As a parent of kids who do not participate in the mainstream, “popular” athletics, and who have not had a trainer present at the sports my GL scholar athletes participate in, my concern has really one of equity and all student athletes having equal access to the same care.

This position, however has been controversial from day one as, we have reported, Athletics has been swallowing most if not all of the increase to instruction we saw on the 2024 ACFR.

So while a second trainer may be nice to have, our remedial instruction and other areas connected to learning have not been keeping up. If the Athletics Department feels the trainer is necessary, then they can propose different cuts to their budget.

POLICY

0149 Retiring Board Members
Members who have served one term, or three years, may present a child or grandchild with a diploma if the graduation or promotion falls within 10.5 years of their service.

1220 Employment of Chief School Administrator
Removed from the policy is language requiring the Superintendent to devote themselves exclusively to the duties of the office. Added language states that the contract of an acting Superintendent will be null and void, in accordance with state statute, if the certificate is revoked.

3324 Right of Privacy
Added to the policy is the following:

“If there is a need to video or photograph a student-led activity, the video or photography must be recorded on a district-issued device. No personal devices should be used to record students during the school day by district staff or students. It is the expectation that district staff do not have student data or records of students on personal devices that leave the school building.”