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And there that board was accused of the comm of not making communitydriven decisions. Th this list could go on, but I'm I'm going to stop there. What makes the decision for this board even harder than those made by other Arizona school boards is that ASDB is unique. The programming on the two campuses is unique. The Tucson campus and the neighborhood it resides in is unique. I'm sure that every dev school and blind school across America is unique. But that said, I've been able to find that since 2009, there's been approximately nine programs for the deaf or blind across the US that have been closed. And I hope whatever decisions the board makes or does not make tonight or in the future can keep ASDB, all of ASDB, the entire agency from not being added to that list. So board, I do not envy any of you tonight.
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I want to begin by acknowledging that openly. The agenda items before us are not abstract, and they represent real people, real families, and a very real anxiety. I know that when reductions are discussed, fear takes over. Fear of job loss, fear of instability, fear of not knowing what comes next. I have lived that fear myself. On a Saturday in 2012, 10 days before Christmas, I stood in a packed special board meeting of the district where I work with a baby on my hip, waiting to find out that my husband had been laid off and whether or not I had made the seniority cut. I remember the uncertainty, the panic, and the helpless feeling of knowing decisions were being made that would change our lives while having very little control over the outcome. So, when I say tonight that I understand the emotions in this room and in our community, I mean that sincerely.
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I don't believe there's a perfect plan to get ASDB under budget and to be on good financial footing over the next three years, which is what JLAC's looking for. I think any plan to find $3 million at this point is going to impact a part of ASDB's programming and upset parts of the community. The weight of this deficit is real and it's heavy. If this administration and board cannot come up with a plan in the next couple months and show implementation of said plan soon, we'll be handing this over to the auditors, the legislators, and other controlling forces to do so. And as mentioned, anybody can watch the December 2024 JAC meeting to get an idea of some of the things that they're proposing. You all have my report. Thank you. Thank you for your report. Moving on, we are at consent agenda item or action item 2.1, approval of the consent agenda consistent with board policy to include items 3.2, 2 3.3 5.1 6.1 7.3 and 7.4.
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The resolutions before us are required steps under the law to address our financial situation. They do not represent a desire to lose employees, nor do they reflect a lack of value for the people who keep this district running every day. Our goal always is to preserve programs, protect students, and retain as many employees as possible while meeting our fiscal responsibilities. Unfortunately, some parts of that work must happen in close session. And I know how frustrating that can be when you're the one waiting for answers. I also want to say this clearly. Disagreement, advocacy, and even anger are part of public service. They always have been. But threats of violence are never acceptable. Not against board members, not against staff, not against anyone. We are neighbors. We are parents. We are educators and public servants. We can and must disagree without putting our lives at risk.
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I um I do have a comment about this. I was alerted via email that there was an incorrect uh donation that was coded um but it came in a little late for the agenda to reflect the change. But we are going to go ahead with the action item of approval. I will need a motion to approve these. >> Excuse me, superintendent. Oh, excuse me, Britney. Um, I do want to add, I know the comment came in from I believe Katie regarding the $500, >> correct? >> Um, it was actually posted correctly for the math club. I think you may be inaccurately referencing the action item that we're requesting for the international travel for PDSD. So the $500 donation made by AAD is correctly reflected in the agenda item. If you take a look at agenda item 7.3-1, it does reference the donation to PDSD for the $500 is deposited into the middle school math club fee account for clarification.
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To our employees, you are not numbers on a spreadsheet. You are the heart of this district. To our families, your trust matters deeply to us. and to our community. I ask for patience, for facts over fear, and for grace during an incredibly challenging moment. None of us take these decisions lightly. We are here because we believe in public education, in fiscal responsibility, and in doing the hard work, even when it's painful, to ensure the long-term stability of this district for students and staff alike. Thank you for being here tonight and thank you for caring enough to show up even when emotions are high. >> Superintendent comments, Tene Nelson. >> Mine will be brief. We had um student advisories at both Granite Hills High School and Apple Valley High School. I will be sharing some of the comments that um students had um having to do with um how they feel at Granite Hills High School.
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Sorry for the interruption. Um, I appreciate the clarification, super assistant superintendent. [snorts] Um, with that clarification, we will take a I will take a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> So moved. >> I need a second. >> This is Linda Bo second. >> All in favor?
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They'll be a hard conversation for the board, but I would like to share those and I'll do that through um email because I don't want to publicly talk about um the concerns that they had. And then um we had CT competitions here um this week for um medical. Granite Hills High School took the first place team and um Apple Valley High School had the first place with a student individual and uh Granite had a third place. So pretty amazing outcomes when we're competing across the the desert with these um students. And then um mentioning the Great Kindness Challenge um several of our schools participated in it last week finishing out January. Um, sweet Cooper. Um, Bo sent me a nice email about um, his kindness challenge and um, thanking me for the work that I do. Um, I do want to let you know that we have some excellent news for the WASK process at HDPA.
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I >> Is there any opposed? >> We can move on now to 3.1. This is also an action item. It is approve approval of new district agreements. How you doing? >> Board President Buchanan, members of the board, we do have two new agreements for our itinerant. Uh, one is in region three, that's with the Academy of Tucson, and one is in region one. It is a BIE school. [snorts] >> Perfect. Can I get a motion to approve this item? >> This is Linda Bove. I move to approve item 3.1 and 3.2. >> Uh we have already covered 3.2 in the consent agenda. So we're just looking for 3.1. >> Okay. 3.1. Sorry about that. >> So I move to approve 3.1. >> Fantastic. We'll take a second. I'll second that. All in favor say I. >> I. I. >> I.
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They got a six-year with a midcycle review and I think that's outstanding for an alternative ed center. So, congratulations HDPA. That is great. All right. Item G, public hearing. [sighs] Conduct a public hearing for the public to provide input regarding California school employees chapter 828 initial bargaining proposal to the Apple Valley Unified School District. I now open the public hearing at is that right? 10:48. >> We did not. That's I didn't. Okay. Okay, I'm going to open this. >> Yep. Regarding the California School Employees Chapter 828 initial bargaining proposal to the Apple Valley Unified School District, Mr. Conrad. >> Yes, this is a a public meeting as part of the um the Sunshine process and adherence to government code. Before associations and districts can engage in the negotiation process, we must do what we did earlier, inform through discussion information what the reopeners are to the board so they can be informed.
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Any opposed? Um, next, uh, we skip on to agenda item 4.1. This is an information item and it is our finance report with director of business services, Kimich. >> Good afternoon. Oops. Sorry. Good afternoon, Board President Buchanan, Superintendent Reichman, Assistant Superintendent Cooper, Acting in Deputy Assistant Superintendent Katchchov, ASDB community, and members of the board. You have been provided my most recent financial report that covers financial data for December 2024 and 2025. The finance committee me meeting was held on Wednesday, January 7th with interim board, not interim board, excuse me, board president Buchanan, board member Gordon, Superintendent Reichman, and Assistant Superintendent Cooper. During this meeting, we reviewed the November 24 and 2025 board reports, financial reports. This total student count provided in the board report for January 6, 2026 shows 1,875 students compared to 1,932 students as of January 1st, 2025. A total decrease of 57 students.
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We have to afford the public an opportunity to comment on what they may have heard in that discussion information. And that's what we're at right now. Later, you'll take action just approving uh the ABUSD uh reopeners. Obviously, the CSEA controls uh their authority to open their their articles, but right now it's it's uh you know, we give time for the public to comment and if nobody's there, we keep it open for a minute and then wrap it. So, that's >> and I will go my turn. Okay. Our lights are their motion. So, >> but then I thought I would if it wasn't motion I'd feel silly.
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All areas have decreased while birth to three increased by two students. When comparing the student count to December 1st, 2025, total of 1,860 [clears throat] students, the student count has increased by 15, mostly in the birth to three. As of January 1st, we had 577 full-time equivalent positions, which includes 8.5 FTE at FBC. At that time, we employed 661 staff. The hiring freeze remains in effect for the agency. The highlights of the December 25 financial report shows a total revenue of 17.1 million was 5.8 million higher than the December 24 revenue of 11.2 million. The major difference is the increase in the institutional vouchers, federal grants, and classroom site fund revenues. The increase in the classroom site fund is mostly due to the increase in the per pupil allocation from 792 last year to 842 this year. The budget fiscal year 25 obligated expenses of 33.6 million were 1.6 million higher than budget fiscal year 2026 obligated expenses of 32.1 million.
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Are there any questions or comments from members of the board regarding the California school employees chapter 828 initial bargaining proposal to the Apple Valley Unified School District? Are there any public comments regarding the California School Employees Chapter 828 initial bargaining proposal to the Apple Valley Unified School District? Hearing no further public comment, I now close the public hearing for the California School Employees Chapter 828 initial bargaining proposal to the Apple Valley Unified School District. And I'll close that at 10:50. And then we need to have a discussion about extending per bylaw 9323. Does anybody have a suggestion? >> Okay. Can I get a second for 11:30? >> Second. >> All right. We'll take a roll call vote. Mrs. Longshore. I >> Mr. Raleigh. >> Hi, >> Mrs. Tucker. >> Hi, >> Miss Apara. >> Hi, >> and Miss Buchanan. I Okay. All right, guys. You got 40 minutes.
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The decreases in salary and professional and outside services are offset by an increase in employer related expenses. The decrease in professional and outside services is from a decrease in contracted transportation for students. The financial report shows an increase in our fund balance of 5.7 million due to the increase in cash received from the institutional vouchers. The voucher reimbursements provided to the districts at the end of the school year will utilize approximately 5.5 million of that increased fund balance.
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Number two, conduct a public hearing for the public to provide input regarding Apple Valley Unified School District's initial bargaining proposal to the California School Employees Association, Chapter 828. I now open a public hearing at 10:51 regarding the Apple Valley Unified School District's initial bargaining proposal to the California School Employee Association chapter 828. >> So similarly, I think you know just applies here as well. We received an opener from the uh district and now would be the public's opportunity to comment on those reopeners as well.
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This concludes my report of the AY's financial status and I'm available to answer any questions. Um, since the director uh opened herself for questions, is there any questions from any board members for director Bitri? Again, I'm going to ask a question. It says it's information and not for discussion. >> This is Assistant Attorney General Joe. So, to clarify, the information is coming from the presenter. The board is entitled to ask questions. of the presenter for more information. Uh the lack of discussion in the item is discussion between the board members with respect to what the item is. >> Thank you, >> director. Thank you. I see no questions. >> Thank you. >> Um the on the agenda the next item is going to be is 5.2. However, I am moving 7.2 which is information and discuss discussion item legislative update with our director of policy and government relations Maria Murphy.
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Are there any questions or comments from members of the board regarding the Apple Valley Unified School District's initial bargaining proposal to the California School Employees Association chapter 828? Are there any public comments regarding the Apple Valley Unified School District's initial bargaining proposal to the California School Employees Association chapter 828? Hearing no further public comment, I now close the public hearing for the Apple Valley Unified School District's initial bargaining proposal to the California School Employees Association, chapter 828 at 10:52. [cough] All right. Item I one um adopt resolution 2526-07 reduction. Yeah. Reduction or discontinuence of classified service. I'll make the motion. >> I'll second.
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Good evening, board president Buchanan, members of the board, Superintendent Reichman, Assistant Superintendent, staff, students, members of the community. For the record, my name is Maria Murphy and I am the ASDB director of policy and government relations. Uh I am here to offer you an update regarding uh the 2026 legislative session and I am pleased to be able to let you know that ASDB was able to introduce Senate Bill and this bill uh is titled capital improvements and financing authority. So, uh, you may recall that back at the November board meeting, I introduced, um, four separate bills, uh, to take to the legislature. And uh although I sought um prime sponsorship for the four bills, uh I was advised that two of the bills would not really be um a good vehicle for uh us to try to get the additional um financing that we needed.
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>> Any discussion? Um, yes. I would like to uh point out that 204 of the 241 positions of classified staff listed are in front of and supporting children every day. So I move that we hold a special meeting of the board in order to have adequate time for clarification and discussion considering all avenues of savings before providing any direction to cut specific positions. >> Okay. Um we have a motion on the table. We will be taking a vote via roll call. Mrs. Longshore. >> No. >> Mr. Raleigh. >> Hi. >> Mrs. Tucker. I'm sorry, but I can't vote for this. No. >> Miss Apara, >> I. >> Mrs. Buchanan, I vote I. Number two, adopt resolution 2526-08, reduction or discontinuence of certificated service. I'll make the motion. >> Can I get a second? >> Second.
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