Carmel Unified approves 2025–26 LCAP and budget after local‑indicator review

The Carmel Unified School District Board of Education on Monday approved the district’s 2025–26 Local Control and Accountability Plan and adopted the district’s 2025–26 general operating budget following a presentation on the district’s California Dashboard local indicators and related performance measures.

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Mary Petty presented the local indicators self‑reflection, noting the district reports locally collected measures that complement state dashboard data. “Based off of 22–23 Dataquest data, we have 1 percent of teachers that were misassigned, a 100 percent of students that had access to the required materials needed in order to learn, and no schools here in Carmel Unified were reported as not in good repair or condition,” Petty said during the presentation.

Petty explained the district used the most recently certified state data for several measures and reported results for priorities that include standards alignment, family engagement, school climate and access to a broad course of study. She said the California Healthy Kids Survey comparison shows a 2 percent decline in fifth‑through‑eleventh grade students reporting a caring adult by 11th grade, while measures of school connectedness rose for most grades, including an increase of 13 percent for 11th graders.

The presentation also outlined new course offerings for 2025–26, including a CTE dual‑enrollment pathway course in graphic design, a hand‑building PE/dance course and AP Spanish Literature and Culture.

Board members asked about data currency and participation rates. Petty noted that the local indicators use certified 2022–23 data for consistency statewide and that the Healthy Kids Survey comparisons reflect more recent responses. She said elementary participation for the survey was low because parental opt‑in reduced response counts and that the district would like “more participants in the elementary level.”

Superintendent Sharon Ofak highlighted summer programming and professional learning that began after the school year ended. Ofak said the district’s summer institute drew “I believe, 70 participants on the first day of our summer institute and 50 or so on the second day,” and described an “AI for leaders and educators” session and an “Apathy Antidote” engagement session as well‑attended.

With no public comments on the agenda items, the board moved to approve the LCAP and the budget. The roll call votes recorded Board President Jason Remenzi, Board Member Sarah Hines and Board Member Matt Glaser voting yes; Board Clerk Jake Odello and Board Member Rita Patel were absent.

Chief Business Official Yvonne Perez separately presented Resolution No. 25‑11 addressing the Education Protection Account. Perez said the district estimated $419,402 for the current fiscal year and estimated $413,006.68 under the Local Control Funding Formula for the next year, and recommended board approval. The board approved the resolution by the same recorded vote.

Petty said the local‑indicator self‑reflection helps the district “identify areas of strength and opportunities for growth,” and the board received no public comments on the items. The district will present related reports to the California Dashboard by the end of the summer and said it will return to the board with additional summer program outcomes later this year.