Board Brief for March 19 Meeting

Here are a few highlights from the March 11 regular board meeting and the complete board packet.

Visual and Performing Arts Update
Director of Visual and Performing Arts James Orlando shared a comprehensive update on his department’s initiatives during the 2024-25 school year. He discussed pilot programs underway at five campuses, a bridge program linking middle and high school students, a multilingual arts pilot launched at five schools, and the VAPA Youth Leadership program. Orlando also touched on key funding sources and hiring requirements necessary to support these efforts.

Board Approves Second Interim
The Board of Education approved its second interim budget report, which was certified as “qualified.” This status indicates that the district may require assistance to fulfill its financial responsibilities during the current or the next two fiscal years. The second interim budget, covering financial data through Jan. 31, reflects an increase in deficit spending from $20 million (after the first interim) to $24 million. This $4 million jump follows a district-wide sweep of unused funds in unrestricted budgets. 

Board Acknowledges More Reductions in 2026-27
The Vallejo City Unified School District Board of Education adopted a resolution acknowledging the Board’s fiduciary responsibility, financial obligation, and commitment to maintaining a high-quality student education program by committing to budget reductions to go into effect in 2026-27. 

Upcoming Board Meeting
Mark your calendars for the next regular board meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, at 6 p.m. For additional information, please visit vcusd.org. You can also find videos of past board meetings on YouTube by searching for VCUSD Communications.