Duarte Unified School District

The June budget assumed 10 fewer full-time-equivalent positions in 2026–27 and three in each following year, alongside shifts of eligible costs to designated program funds and attendance recovery. On July 16, the superintendent explicitly said all teachers who received layoff notices had been recalled because of other departures. Staffing assumptions are not a count of people ultimately laid off. The June multiyear plan placed available reserves only slightly above the 3% minimum; its estimates predate August’s additional funding. A budget worksheet also calculated classroom compensation below the 55% benchmark, but the collected record does not establish a final compliance finding, waiver outcome or penalty.

1. Jun 11, 2026Public hearing on the proposed budget.
2. Jun 25, 2026Budget adoption recorded on the district certification.
3. Jul 16, 2026Superintendent said all teachers who received layoff notices were recalled.
4. Aug 20, 202645-day revision reported about $4.2 million more revenue than June.
5. Sep 10, 2026Board approved 2025–26 unaudited actuals.
6. Oct 15, 2026Officials planned a revived budget advisory committee, first meeting expected in November.
7. Dec 10, 2026First interim financial report expected at the regular board meeting.

After Margaret’s Place and community-school grants ended, the superintendent said the district chose to build a broader program: a mental-health and wellness coordinator, wellness centers across schools, licensed clinical social-work services and interns alongside school counselors. An August 4 Cal State Los Angeles agreement supports social-work, psychology and speech-language training placements at no district cost. Coverage, staffing levels and outcomes are not yet established by these records.

1. Jun 25, 2026LCAP adopted including proposed support investments.
2. Aug 4, 2026CSULA clinical affiliation approved.
3. Aug 20, 2026Superintendent explained district wellness model under development.

Mount Olive Innovation and Technology High School relocated to the Duarte High campus; Kevin Morris was appointed principal of both schools June 11. September’s board action approved the relocation. Families raised concerns about separation, safety and inclusion, while students and staff described Mount Olive’s supportive alternative program. These comments do not establish a finding of misconduct or a causal link between the move and incidents.

1. Jun 11, 2026Joint principal appointed.
2. Aug 20, 2026Board remarks described students on the relocated campus.
3. Sep 10, 2026Board approved relocation.

Duarte offers early-college/dual-enrollment and career-technical pathways. In 2026 trustees renewed Citrus partnerships, approved PCC culinary collaboration and approved Rio Hondo carpentry dual enrollment with college instruction on the high-school campus. Beardslee’s dual-language program, Maxwell’s IB program and Royal Oaks STEAM are additional program strengths described in meetings. Separate charter-school outcomes should not be treated as districtwide results.

1. Mar 9, 2026Board considered PCC culinary dual-enrollment partnership.
2. Jun 25, 2026Citrus CCAP agreement renewed.
3. Aug 20, 2026Rio Hondo carpentry CCAP agreement approved.

The board approved preschool license applications at Royal Oaks, Valley View and Maxwell and related playground, shade and portable work. July discussion warned that Valley View playground licensing could delay opening, with other placements offered. The September 30 oversight packet planned Beardslee reconfiguration substantial completion for May 14, 2027; the health-center layout and Maxwell portable schedule remained under review. Bond funds are separate from operating reserves.

1. Jun 25, 2026Preschool licensing applications approved.
2. Jul 16, 2026Playground revision and portable relocation approved; licensing delay discussed.
3. Sep 30, 2026Oversight packet described project status and planned completion.

The district added dedicated attendance counseling, data review, outreach and home visits. October 15’s report described a Think Together attendance-recovery launch at four academies and said 19 of 32 Royal Oaks students left the highest concern tier after targeted support. That small early example is not a districtwide evaluation or proof that the program caused the improvement.

1. May 7, 2026Attendance-recovery pilot approved.
2. Aug 20, 2026Expanded-learning plan integrated attendance recovery.
3. Oct 15, 2026Superintendent described intervention and upcoming recovery launch.

Trustees approved a student-phone policy at second reading. May discussion contemplated teacher-approved instructional use and emergency flexibility. The complete adopted policy text was not collected, so this overview does not characterize the precise restrictions as a bell-to-bell ban.

1. May 7, 2026First-reading discussion.
2. Jun 11, 2026Policy approved at second reading.