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The Pleasanton Unified School District Board of Trustees is poised to approve just over $7.5 million in ongoing budget cuts and reductions for the 2026-27 fiscal year during Thursday’s regular board meeting.
Following the vote, the trustees will continue workshopping other potential reductions in order to meet — and possibly exceed — its target of $8.9 million in savings for the next fiscal year, which is required as a condition of approval of the district’s budget by the county.
“PUSD needs to reduce ongoing expenditures and/or increase revenues by approximately $9 million over the next two years to achieve a balanced budget and meet the state-mandated minimum 3% reserve,” the district stated in its Nov. 11 e-newsletter. “These are difficult but necessary steps to maintain fiscal solvency and preserve local control over our schools.”
Over the last two months, the district has been gathering input from the community and workshopping a large list of potential budget reduction options in order to address its ongoing budget challenges, which stem from a variety of reasons including declining enrollment, depletion of one-time funds and other rising costs.
Trustees used specific budget tools and criteria to determine which options were feasible to implement and which would have the least impact on students. Parents, students and teachers all packed several of the recent board meetings to voice their opposition to certain cuts to specialist positions and programs in music, science and physical education.
All of that in-depth review resulted in the board identifying $7,509,727 in ongoing reductions during the Nov. 6 special board meeting.
According to the Nov. 13 staff report, those savings will go toward addressing the “minimum savings target committed in Resolution No. 2025-2026.13, adopted on Sept. 25, 2025, which requires the District to reduce at least $8,153,721 in 2026-27 and $737,131 in 2027–28, or a minimum of $8.9M.”
Most of the reductions and cuts identified in the list have to do with cutting down district and site administration work days; reducing, eliminating or freezing certain professional development programs or educational stipends for staff; and other high level cuts to the organization as a whole.
If approved Thursday, the district will look to begin implementing those cuts and reductions as soon as possible.
The board’s open-session meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 13). Read the full agenda here.
In other business:
* District staff will be recommending that the board approve an agreement with Oakland-based HKIT Architects for the design and construction of a new roof for the Amador Valley High School competition gym.
According to the staff report, the $140,400 professional services agreement to replace the aging roof will be funded by the 2016 voter-approved Measure I1 bond dollars.
“The roof at the Amador Valley High School competition gym is approximately 25 years old, has reached the end of life and is scheduled for replacement,” according to the Nov. 13 staff report. “This project will ensure that the building is in serviceable condition and remains free from leaks.”
* The board will vote on approving the purchase of a digital scoreboard package for Foothill High School.
Digital Scoreboards, an authorized scoreboard vendor, submitted a proposal for a 26 inch by 16 inch digital display, software, warranty, onsite commissioning and accessories that totals over $228,700, according to the staff report. The district’s proposal is to purchase the package and issue the purchase order that is contingent on the district receiving full donation funds from the Foothill Athletic Boosters.
“Foothill High School seeks to upgrade its athletic stadium scoreboard to a modern digital board to enhance student-athlete experience, improve event functionality, and support school and community athletic programs,” the staff report states.
* Staff will also be recommending that the board approve the establishment of a pre-qualified pool of seven school and charter bus transportation vendors for the district to choose from for student activities.
The approval would allow staff to authorize and execute agreements or purchase orders with those vendors as needed.
According to the staff report, the total transportation expenditures are estimated to total about $395,000 annually but the actual amounts will “vary based on program needs.”
“Pleasanton Unified School District utilizes school and charter bus providers to support student extracurricular activities, athletic events, field trips, and other district-approved travel needs,” the staff report states. “Due to volume and scheduling demands, multiple vendors are necessary to ensure uninterrupted access to transportation services.”
