PUSD Budget Updates & Engagement
PUSD is committed to open communication and community engagement as we work to address an anticipated $8-9 million* budget shortfall in the 2026-27 school year. This page provides all budget-related information in one place - including FAQs, meeting dates, presentation materials, and engagement opportunities.
Learn about our Budget Challenges
For anyone just beginning to follow PUSD’s budget discussion, we strongly encourage reviewing the resources below. They explain how we got here, what reductions have already been made, and the steps ahead as the District works to address its structural deficit and achieve a balanced budget through 2027-28.
A 4-slide summary of PUSD’s Fiscal Challenges.
Summary of PUSD's Fiscal Challenges
Budget FAQs – A running list of questions and answers, updated regularly.
We’ve also turned our FAQs into a short, 5-minute podcast that highlights the key questions, making it easier to listen on the go and stay informed.
Want the full story? Check-out the video recording of our virtual Town Hall (60 mins) or review the Town Hall presentation slide deck.
Budget Board Meetings
Upcoming Board Meetings
JANUARY 22 SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
At the January 22 Special Board Meeting, the Board will review the budget reduction implementation progress and consider any needed adjustments based on the status of negotiations with our labor partners on roughly half of the reductions ($5.4 million), revenue generation efforts, updated enrollment trends, and the Governor’s proposed 2026–27 state budget and school-funding outlook expected by January 10. The meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m., and the materials will be posted in advance on Simbli.
How to participate:
- In-Person: PUSD District Office, Boardroom (5758 W. Las Positas Blvd.)
- Live Broadcast: TV28 (Tri-Valley Community Television)
- Online Streaming: Tri-Valley TV Livestream
- Public Comment: Accepted in-person only
Reporting from Past Board Meetings
DECEMBER 11 REGULAR BOARD MEETING
At the December 11 Board meeting, the Board of Trustees approved the District’s 2025–26 First Interim Budget Report, which provides an updated picture of our finances using actual revenues and expenditures through October 31. The First Interim now projects a $4.7 million deficit (expenses exceeding revenues) for 2025–26. This is a significant improvement over the $7.7 million deficit projected when the budget was adopted in June but does not meet the more optimistic estimate from the 45-Day Update in mid-August, when the deficit was projected at $1.7 million. The main reason for the variance is an increase in the cost of Special Education, which is a trend seen across the region. Because the $4.7 million deficit exceeds our remaining available reserves, the District is projecting a negative ending fund balance of $2.5 million and will submit the First Interim Budget with a Negative Certification, which will bring additional oversight and support from the Alameda County Office of Education.
Looking ahead, the District has taken important steps toward long-term fiscal stability. The Board-approved $11.2 million in reductions for 2026–27 are built into our multi-year projections and will help reduce ongoing costs. The $11.0 million from the Vineyard property sale placed in a committed Stabilization Fund—while not available to cover ongoing budget deficits—strengthens our financial position and allows for internal borrowing to help cover this year’s $2.5 million shortfall.
👉 View the December 11 meeting presentation and recording.
NOVEMBER 20 special BOARD MEETING
At its November 20 Special Board Meeting, the Board approved the additional 2026–27 budget reductions totaling $3.5 million identified at the November 13 meeting. Trustees also approved a reduction in the daily substitute teacher rate, which is expected to generate $125K in additional savings. With the actions taken at the November 13 meeting, the Board has now approved $11.2 million in budget reductions for 2026–27. The Board directed District staff to begin planning for the implementation of these reductions, noting that approximately half—roughly $5.4 million—will require negotiations with labor partners.
👉 View the November 20 meeting presentation and recording.
NOVEMBER 13 REGULAR BOARD MEETING
At its November 13 Regular Board Meeting, the Board formally approved $7,509,727 in reductions for 2026–27 and directed staff to begin implementation through the appropriate processes, which may include negotiations with labor partners, resolutions, program adjustments, and operational steps.
👉 See the list of $7.5M in approved reductions.
During the same meeting, Trustees continued their review using the Budget Reductions Analysis Tool and identified an additional $3,526,975 in potential reductions.
👉 See the list of the $3.5M in identified reductions (published as part of the November 20 Board Meeting materials).
In total, the Board has now identified $11,036,702 in budget reductions.
👉 Also view the November 13 meeting presentation, full 26/27 Reduction Options list, and recording.
NOVEMBER 6 SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
At its November 6 Special Board Meeting, the Board of Trustees continued, in workshop format, the District’s budget reduction process. Alameda County Superintendent of Schools Alysse Castro attended and reaffirmed the Board’s responsibility to meet State reserve requirements and restore fiscal solvency. She noted that approval of PUSD’s 2025-26 budget remains conditional on continued progress toward a balanced budget to avoid potential State intervention and preserve local control. Following a staff presentation and public comment, Trustees reviewed follow-up questions from the October 30 meeting and continued working through reduction options using the Budget Reductions Analysis Tool. The Board identified an initial $7.5 million in ongoing reductions as part of the minimum savings target committed in Resolution No. 2025-2026.13, adopted on September 25, 2025, which calls for at least $8.9 million in total reductions over 2026–27 and 2027–28.
👉 See the November 6 meeting presentation, summary Trustee weighting sheet, and meeting recording.
October 30 SPECIAL Board Meeting
The Trustees continued their review of potential budget reductions. In preparation for the meeting, each Trustee had individually evaluated and weighted potential reduction options using the Board’s established decision-making criteria - Compliance, Goal Alignment, and Student Program Impact. During the meeting, Trustees reviewed a summary of those individual results, discussed areas of alignment, and began developing a Consensus Weighting list. The meeting included public comment, and the Board requested follow-up information for its November 6 Special Meeting.
👉 View the October 30 presentation, summary Trustee weighting sheet, and meeting recording.
October 23 REGULAR Board Meeting
The Trustees continued the budget reduction discussion that began at the October 16 workshop. Staff provided an expanded list of potential reduction options and answered follow-up questions from the prior meeting. Trustees also received instructions for applying individual weighting criteria to help evaluate reduction options.
👉 View the Oct. 23 meeting presentation, expanded list of reduction options, and recording.
October 16 Special Budget Board Meeting
The Trustees reviewed a preliminary list of budget reduction options totaling about $13.5 million. Following staff presentations, public comment, and Board discussion, the Board directed staff to return with updated analysis and an expanded list of reduction options and to continue the budget discussion at the Regular Board Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23, 6:00 p.m. No action will be taken at the Oct. 23 Board meeting.
👉 View the Oct. 16 meeting presentation, list of reduction options, and recording.
October 2 Special Budget Board Meeting
In a workshop format, the Trustees began developing shared values, priorities, and decision-making criteria to guide upcoming budget decisions. They also reviewed a draft tool to help evaluate potential reductions and revenue options.
📄 View Presentation | 🎥 View Meeting Recording
Stay Informed
- Bookmark this page and check back often!
- Read PUSD’s E-Connect Newsletter.
* This is the estimate from the 45 Day Budget Update and will be updated with the First Interim and will adjust before it is finalized.