La Canada Unified superintendent highlights enrollment, budget pressure and November territory vote at State of the District
May 30, 2024 | La Canada Unified, School Districts, California
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Superintendent Wendy CET opened La Canada Unified’s first annual State of the District with a data-rich review of the district, saying, “we have 3,951 students” and outlining staffing, course offerings and recent recognition.
Why it matters: The presentation framed school finances and facilities work in the context of steady enrollment recovery and an uncertain state budget, and it announced an upcoming resident vote that could expand the district’s boundaries.
Wendy CET said the district employs 511 staff and offers 22 Advanced Placement courses, with 1,686 AP tests taken in the 2023–24 year. She highlighted academic participation figures including 196 students in computer science, 722 taking a world language and 187 enrolled in Career Technical Education classes. “We also have 480 LCHS music and drama students enrolled this year,” she added.
Citing outside recognition, Wendy CET noted that 100% of the district’s elementary schools were honored as California Distinguished Schools in 2023 and that La Canada High ranked 25th in the state in the U.S. News & World Report list. She credited the governing board and staff for those results.
On governance and growth, the superintendent said the California State Board of Education has allowed a territory-transfer vote for the so-called “sagebrush” area. If sagebrush residents approve the measure in November, the change would affect “over 800 parcels” and transfer territory from Glendale Unified to La Canada Unified, she said.
Financial pressures were a recurring theme. The superintendent described a recent budget “lunch and learn” where community members met with the governing board to examine the fiscal impacts of a state budget deficit and to discuss strategies to protect classroom programs. The district said it is exploring efficiencies and using a permit process to manage out-of-area enrollment as it aims to return to an enrollment “sweet spot” of roughly 4,100–4,150 students.
Wendy CET and presenters also updated the audience on Measure LC bond-funded construction and modernization projects, including completed work at Palm Crest, a south-campus redesign and an aquatics center at the high school, and ongoing classroom modernizations at other sites.
The board adjourned the special meeting at 8:50 p.m.; no formal board votes were taken on those agenda items during the event.
The district said further public updates and formal agenda items will appear at upcoming governing-board meetings as projects and budget planning continue.
Why it matters: The presentation framed school finances and facilities work in the context of steady enrollment recovery and an uncertain state budget, and it announced an upcoming resident vote that could expand the district’s boundaries.
Wendy CET said the district employs 511 staff and offers 22 Advanced Placement courses, with 1,686 AP tests taken in the 2023–24 year. She highlighted academic participation figures including 196 students in computer science, 722 taking a world language and 187 enrolled in Career Technical Education classes. “We also have 480 LCHS music and drama students enrolled this year,” she added.
Citing outside recognition, Wendy CET noted that 100% of the district’s elementary schools were honored as California Distinguished Schools in 2023 and that La Canada High ranked 25th in the state in the U.S. News & World Report list. She credited the governing board and staff for those results.
On governance and growth, the superintendent said the California State Board of Education has allowed a territory-transfer vote for the so-called “sagebrush” area. If sagebrush residents approve the measure in November, the change would affect “over 800 parcels” and transfer territory from Glendale Unified to La Canada Unified, she said.
Financial pressures were a recurring theme. The superintendent described a recent budget “lunch and learn” where community members met with the governing board to examine the fiscal impacts of a state budget deficit and to discuss strategies to protect classroom programs. The district said it is exploring efficiencies and using a permit process to manage out-of-area enrollment as it aims to return to an enrollment “sweet spot” of roughly 4,100–4,150 students.
Wendy CET and presenters also updated the audience on Measure LC bond-funded construction and modernization projects, including completed work at Palm Crest, a south-campus redesign and an aquatics center at the high school, and ongoing classroom modernizations at other sites.
The board adjourned the special meeting at 8:50 p.m.; no formal board votes were taken on those agenda items during the event.
The district said further public updates and formal agenda items will appear at upcoming governing-board meetings as projects and budget planning continue.
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