Hacienda La Puente trustees hear LCAP, community schools plans and proposed $313M budget; trustees press for clearer special-education and counseling numbers

The Hacienda La Puente Unified School District board heard a pair of required presentations Tuesday evening that staff said frame spending priorities for 2026–27: a community schools implementation update and the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) year‑3 update, followed by the district's proposed budget.

Claudia Perez, the district's community school coordinator, outlined work at 17 sites organized around a 4x4 framework to align resources to the “whole child,” emphasizing family engagement, academic achievement and social‑emotional supports. “My name is Claudia Perez, your community school coordinator,” Perez said as she summarized the priorities and partnerships, noting the district has expanded mental and physical health services and a new web portal where site implementation plans are posted for public review.

The board then received the LCAP year‑3 review from Sean Harrington, interim director for categorical programs, who described four core goals — conditions of learning, student outcomes, engagement and an equity multiplier targeted to alternative and higher‑needs sites — and how those goals map to LCAP actions.

Chief business officer (budget lead) Miss Risco presented the 2026–27 proposed budget, describing assumptions used to build the plan: the governor’s May revision, an LCFF projection and a three‑year average ADA (average daily attendance). The presentation showed projected total revenues of more than $313 million and a $15 million net decrease for 2026–27; staff warned that several one‑time block grants that support services will expire in later years.

Trustees pressed for greater detail. Board members repeatedly asked for an itemized breakdown of counseling spending and how unduplicated funding (for foster youth, English learners and low‑income pupils) is allocated and tracked to students. “We need to know what counseling means in terms of dollars and allocation,” one trustee said, asking for a follow‑up report distinguishing between academic counselors, interventionists and mental‑health clinicians.

Several trustees also asked for a special board session devoted to special education after members and public speakers said the program’s costs and changes to caseloads had driven both fiscal pressure and community concern. Staff said the state’s proposed special‑education funding increases would, if enacted, add meaningful revenue but that the district has not yet budgeted for those new amounts pending final state action.

On timing, staff reminded the public that LCAP and budget adoptions are separate actions: the board will take final action on the LCAP and the proposed budget at a June 25 meeting. Miss Risco told trustees the district will submit adopted budgets to the county within the state’s required timelines.

Trustees asked staff to return with more transparent, searchable budget tables, clearer online placement of the proposed budget, and a breakdown of positions funded with restricted versus unrestricted dollars — requests staff said they would provide ahead of the adoption vote.

Looking ahead, board members said they wanted a standing agenda item so trustees can place governance priorities — for example, a special session on special education or a ticketing system for tracking constituent complaints — on future agendas without delay.