LBUSD board gets unaudited budget closeout update
The district said 2025-26 ended with deficit spending, reserves still in place, and enrollment down by about 1,600 students.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — district presents 2025-26 unaudited actuals and, board member/staff reports, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The year-end picture is not final yet, but the district has already closed in on its biggest pressures: lower enrollment, deficit spending, and the audit work ahead.
The books are closing, but the pressure is not. Long Beach Unified School District staff walked the Board of Education through the district’s 2025-26 unaudited actuals, the year-end snapshot prepared before the outside audit is complete. The presentation covered revenues, expenditures, deficit spending, reserves, and a continued enrollment drop of about 1,600 students. That combination matters because fewer students generally mean less revenue, even as district costs continue.
Staff described the unaudited actuals as part of the annual closeout process rather than a final verdict on the year. The report focused on where the district landed financially at the end of 2025-26 and how much remained in reserve after spending more than it took in. Board members received the update in open session as part of the district’s regular financial reporting.
What comes next is the audit. Staff said the district is now moving through the closeout of the books and the schedule for audit fieldwork and later reporting. That means the numbers presented this week will be reviewed again before final audited results come back later in the year. Fire families and employees, the immediate takeaway was straightforward: enrollment is still falling, the district spent into its reserves, and the next major financial checkpoint will come with the audit reports.
Board Member/Staff Reports: Credit Recovery Offerings and Staff Professional Learning/Leadership Development
Student recovery and staff training shared the agenda. In board and staff reports, district leaders outlined credit recovery options for middle school and high school students and gave a separate update on professional learning and leadership development for employees.
The district said credit recovery courses will be available in 2026-2027 for students who need to make up work in subjects including math, science, and English. The report cited 1008 tied to those offerings. Staff said the classes are built into the school day and include added support, along with counseling and advising, to help students stay on track for graduation and college eligibility. A committee is working on the effort.
The second part of the update focused on staff development. The district described an early-year seminar for teaching staff aimed at helping employees use district tools and portals and turn training into day-to-day practice. The report also pointed to program support, collaboration, and leadership development, plus ongoing work on recruitment and hiring planning. No vote followed the presentation.
Board approves workers’ compensation settlement
The Board of Education reported that it approved settlement terms in a workers’ compensation matter during closed session. Agenda records described the same action twice and showed the decision was unanimous.
Settlement costs come from district funds and close out a personnel-related legal matter.
Students press district on AI rules
Student speakers urged the district to address generative AI and ChatGPT in schools with clearer rules and less classroom reliance. They tied the issue to cheating, weaker critical thinking, privacy risks, deepfakes, labor and environmental harms, and student mental health.
District rules on AI will affect classroom assignments, academic integrity, and student privacy.
Parents demand answers on screen time
Parents and a community college instructor asked the district to cut student screen time, limit phone use, and be more transparent about education technology spending. They called for contract details and evidence showing whether those purchases are actually improving learning.
Screen-use rules and tech contracts affect students’ daily school experience and how district money is spent.
Board accepts reading acceleration report
The board unanimously accepted a Goal 2 monitoring report on reading acceleration after reviewing SBAC growth, subgroup results, and grade-level differences. Board members pressed staff on teacher feedback, interventions, and how clearly the district shares data with the public.
Reading performance drives district priorities, and the report shows how schools are tracking support for struggling student groups.
- Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education. Five student speakers described widespread generative AI use in schools and raised concerns about cheating, reduced critical thinking, deepfakes and privacy harms, impacts on art and jobs, environmental and supply chain harms, and mental health risks from AI chatbots. Speakers cited specific examples, studies, and statistics and urged attention to regulation and literacy.
- Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education. Two speakers (a parent and a community college instructor/parent) urged limits and safeguards on student screen time and questioned the learning outcomes of commercialized ed tech. They referenced a Schools Beyond Screens Coalition report, requested spending and contract information, and supported a proposed work group and timeline discussed with district staff.
- Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education. One speaker criticized multiculturalism and argued for assimilation, making claims about Islam and citing alleged crimes in the UK. The speaker urged the district to teach assimilation rather than multiculturalism and stated they would continue the topic at a future meeting.
- Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education. Several high school students spoke about AI and ChatGPT, describing perceived impacts on learning, critical thinking, academic integrity, privacy, labor and environmental harms, and student mental health. Speakers urged the district to implement regulations similar to other districts and reduce reliance on AI in classrooms.
- Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education. One speaker criticized multiculturalism and argued the district should promote assimilation, using Mexico as a model and making claims about Muslims and crime in Europe. The board president responded that hateful speech was not welcome.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
LONG BEACH had 42 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEPublic comments include anti-Muslim assimilation remarks. Several public comment entries describe a speaker criticizing multiculturalism and urging assimilation while making claims about Islam and crime abroad. One mixed-comment item also notes separate remarks about student screen use.
- GOVERNANCESuperintendent reports strong attendance and start-of-year operations. The superintendent reported 95% attendance, staffing progress, maintenance and custodial work, community listening efforts, and start-of-year operations. He also highlighted Latino or Hispanic Heritage Month events and related celebrations.
- GOVERNANCEBoard members report on leadership programs and student supports. Board members gave committee or member reports on leadership development, equitable talent programs, policy work, and instructional supports. They also cited planned 2026-27 intervention and credit recovery offerings, including 183 middle school courses and 281 high school courses.
- GOVERNANCEBoard members note school visits and back-to-school events. Board members reported on upcoming school events, community visits, listening sessions, and back-to-school nights. Closing remarks also included appreciation for staff work on reports and events.
- GOVERNANCECAMS student representative presents school activities and needs. The student representative from CAMS introduced herself and presented on school culture, leadership, fundraising, Hispanic Heritage Month activities, athletics, and campus constraints. She also invited the board and community to the Taste of CAMS event on October 23.
- GOVERNANCEBoard discusses governance timeline and community check-ins. The board discussed the implementation timeline for student-outcome-focused governance, including a community check-in scheduled for September 28 and follow-up discussion at a future meeting. Members also raised meeting time management, reflection on community visits, and planning for later training and review sessions.
- GOVERNANCEStudent board member highlights teamwork message and Sept. 26 training. The student board member shared a start-of-year message about teamwork and grace during campus changes, including construction at Poly in one account. The report also announced Sept. 26 leadership or ASB training for student leaders.
- GOVERNANCEBoard Member Reports: School Visits, Communication Concerns, and Event Recognitions. Board members reported on upcoming school visits and community engagement, concerns about acronyms and public understanding, recognition of the Black Student Symposium, Back to School Night, and acknowledgements of staff efforts. A report also noted two Poly students advancing as National Merit semifinalists and a Head Start staff wellness event.
- GOVERNANCEDistrict highlights Black student symposium and family resources. District leaders highlighted the fifth annual Black student symposium at the Center for African American Student Excellence. The event was described as welcoming students and families back with vendors, workshops, community groups, and school-year resources.
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