[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},"mediaId",6371920,"mediaKeyId","2148710-ef01dd7034aa2bd37d28bcbcc235a3e9","parentId",2148710,"title","Board receives clean district audit, hears governor’s budget outlook and approves recommended budget reductions","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",5670000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2148710-ef01dd7034aa2bd37d28bcbcc235a3e9&start=5670&end=5670","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2148710-ef01dd7034aa2bd37d28bcbcc235a3e9/thumbnail_5670000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6371920/California/Board-receives-clean-district-audit-hears-governors-budget-outlook-and-approves-recommended-budget-reductions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371920-b6cf726ec4ada665f4d48b5f39e3b7b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178246&Signature=d57ZG1eRiIV9fQLstHIMWgASCZ12ufcURgS3WE~MWEoTdy7l-HtO2UyzgBzq8w-FXTsVAuAorJuYil3iZWTYrvmA~v3~1EekDtRoZFcrpJSy~kbWE8DGgvCDL8XGAp2IWGQFqBDmlKMW8HDWcNEMY0~xN2QHbDlGVEoMlXWlMBhALMKm82w5qLYgV6Gdp1WOHoo3Vm1js84jS~fqNvKABlmmWg3JRbSuZZgYOy8tnNcHAo-mxxXGRzA56nVvgYPF~6njSnWlwYhPSmZCAzuyg0ZN7NrSqSkExVA92XYjlNLLrRm021yEZ3iFDRLMpEvwwRoFG6RvINcRrnM6b7Atyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-25T00:56:28.673Z","article","The Western Placer Unified School District board received the district’s independent audit, heard a summary of the governor’s proposed 2025–26 budget and approved a package of district budget reductions and one-time savings recommended by the district budget advisory committee at its Jan. 21 meeting.

Audit results: CRO (external auditors) delivered an unmodified opinion on the district’s 2023–24 financial statements, federal awards and state awards — commonly referred to as a “clean” audit. Auditor Moran Murphy told trustees there were no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies; auditors did note a limited ASB (Associated Student Body) internal-control deficiency at certain sites and three immunization records that affected ADA reporting (an overstatement of ADA equivalent to roughly $16,000). Murphy said the business office has offered ASB training to site staff in response.

Charter audits: The board also received audit reports from charter schools it charters (John Adams Academy and Horizon). John Adams’ audit was unmodified with no findings. Horizon Charter’s audit had state-compliance findings; district staff summarized the findings and recommended receipt and monitoring.

Governor’s proposed budget: District staff summarized the governor’s Jan. 10 proposal and its likely local impact. Staff said the governor’s proposed COLA (cost-of-living adjustment) projection is 2.43% for 2025–26 (down from an earlier 2.93% assumption used in the district’s first interim), producing an estimated LCFF revenue decrease of about $470,000 relative to the prior assumption. Staff also highlighted a potential TK (transitional kindergarten) funding increase that, if adopted as proposed, could add roughly $780,000 to the district in 2025–26 to support reduced adult-to-student ratios; staff cautioned that the proposal was preliminary and subject to change in the May revision.

Budget reductions approved: The district budget advisory committee — a multi-stakeholder committee including board representatives, bargaining-unit members and school principals — presented prioritized savings and one-time options to meet projected shortfalls. The board approved the committee’s recommendations, which included: using technology carryover and a vendor model change to reduce Chromebook replacement costs; applying one-time learning-recovery funds to Phoenix and ATLAS staffing for two additional years; a partial transfer from a reserve (fund 17) as a one-time cash-flow measure; and using remaining instructional block-grant funds and routine-maintenance reserves for one-time support. The package totals roughly $2.3 million in one-time savings for 2025–26 and about $582,000 for 2026–27, with limited ongoing savings.

Formal board actions taken (summary):
- Consent agenda (items 6.2–6.30) approved by roll call (unanimous).
- The board received charter audits and district audit reports (informational receipt).
- The board approved the budget reductions and savings recommended by the district budget advisory committee (action item 8.8).
- The board approved the district’s “sunshine” negotiation proposal to open talks with CSEA (local classified union) for a new three-year contract (action item 8.9).
- The board approved a memorandum of understanding to participate in the classified employees’ summer assistance program if state matching funds are available (action item 8.10).
- The board adopted revised district policies and regulations that had been noticed earlier (action item 8.11).

Votes and procedure: Multiple votes were recorded by roll call during the meeting. The consent agenda passed by unanimous roll call. The budget-reduction package was adopted after a motion and second at the regular meeting. For several items, staff said implementation timing will depend on final state budget actions (May revise) and on final confirmation of available grant and carryover funds.

Provenance: Reporter reviewed the auditors’ presentation, the governor’s budget briefing presented by district staff and the board’s action on the budget advisory committee recommendations during the Jan. 21 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","1/21/25 Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees","oneSentenceSummary","Auditors issued an unmodified (clean) opinion on the district’s 2023–24 financial statements; trustees received charter audits, heard the governor’s proposed budget impacts and approved district budget reductions recommended by the district budget advisory committee.","taxTitle","Western Placer Unified, School Districts, California","taxId",38571,"location","California","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6371925,"Parent tells board of alleged bathroom assault and says school response left family uneasy",90,1280000,1370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2148710-ef01dd7034aa2bd37d28bcbcc235a3e9&start=1280&end=1370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2148710-ef01dd7034aa2bd37d28bcbcc235a3e9/thumbnail_1280000.jpg","/articles/6371925/California/Parent-tells-board-of-alleged-bathroom-assault-and-says-school-response-left-family-uneasy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371925-055e08a3584285b76ba248a31fe6a87a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178246&Signature=bcSioxRN6TS2H3Z22NA-tpdGog3ymvnBET-u1L25TS2juMjviJW7wBuC0WVmzCC~sht28NJJ6udsVvyOI2nvNn3I1Ov3TOga2-SoHuaXkSjGvo8FAHtsLA~3uLl2MvZWNQyoP~KCUJGXwsHIVXU4ksE8~Gny6oHmCIGH-0R5RGIlkwDMlpiHqWunR78Dwrms1WRQT1iTBgrzN7n4NBBXGMqCwLs1DjJwrgleRt4dP~iB5Oh5UirwM0V6CgYhxIWGTSRsAEvJX6~1TTqPWNVtqSWKN~EeAoztYkpqv9-seDMlZlKAba3wwpxu2Ks5ViT8RKMZsHWBCLq49--ljpjZ5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Lincoln parent and district teacher, Vanessa Gutierrez, used the public comment period at the Jan. 21 Western Placer Unified board meeting to report repeated bullying and an alleged sexualized assault in a school bathroom and to describe what she called insufficient follow-up by school administrators.

Who spoke: Vanessa Gutierrez identified herself as a district teacher and the parent of a kindergarten and fourth-grade student. She described a sequence of incidents beginning earlier in the school year involving a fifth-grade student who allegedly harassed and physically shoved her kindergartner and fourth-grader.

Allegations in her account: Gutierrez said a school administrator contacted her family after a November incident in which her fourth-grader wrote an account saying another student “was pushing me against the walls and holding me there,” “asked to touch my private parts and I said no, but he still tried,” and “peeking under the stall and watching me.” Gutierrez said the principal had her son write an account and then, before notifying parents, made them sit together in the principal’s office to discuss what happened, which the parent said caused distress.

Parent concerns and district limitations: Gutierrez told the board she was told the district could not disclose discipline specifics due to confidentiality but that administrators assured the family the students would be separated; she said follow-up was “limited.” She said some classroom teachers were unaware of the severity of the incident. Gutierrez asked the board to take responsibility for student safety and for consistent communication and said she had escalated the matter to district staff.

What the board heard and next steps: The board did not take immediate formal action during the meeting. Trustees and staff did not publicly dispute Gutierrez’s description; the superintendent and administration were present and had earlier set public-comment rules. The parent’s remarks were entered into the public record and the board’s meeting minutes. Gutierrez said she had contacted administrators and asked for further measures; the board may refer the matter to staff for follow-up consistent with district process and confidentiality rules.

Provenance: This article is based on Gutierrez’s public comment during the communications section of the Jan. 21 meeting and her verbatim account of her son’s written statement.","A Lincoln parent and teacher told trustees that her kindergarten and fourth-grade children were targeted by older students and criticized the principal’s handling of discipline and communication.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6371930,"Lincoln FFA chapter tells board it 'transformed' members; highlights leadership, competitions and farm programs",123,4240000,4363000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2148710-ef01dd7034aa2bd37d28bcbcc235a3e9&start=4240&end=4363","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2148710-ef01dd7034aa2bd37d28bcbcc235a3e9/thumbnail_4240000.jpg","/articles/6371930/California/Lincoln-FFA-chapter-tells-board-it-transformed-members-highlights-leadership-competitions-and-farm-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371930-47e94336d361455957bb9cce42dbf19b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178246&Signature=VdNdMK9vs17YtIvASCxGtyTqQ7V3EbTgpLipdwTRgk7ji0jxVUFokiSGRLXnP7dHeY88c5rteL1YK7Ii84Yio9t-FFmttEULQX1b6hYxJCX2IdSX3BZbyVzmBXzQ1V41mO4pF0mwvrCjnFwCoWHf8P6WAymwcqtIXMc2SV7mu7u8zDZkvHAgzFr-Q7Js1voZhc62bjF5ERokeKelRGZoukxeJHE5OLQ9yT4B4yoPGV9t5RLIptjZ4niONdh~cqVdXSKy3plZpX9fva86gDNsbrA2dUdWN0zuzMQJEtQCbGJ68RqnvSa4XWF9HfTBrvaZKNX87x-FmsbJiib5eEFgTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lincoln High School’s FFA advisor and student officers described the scope of the school’s agriculture and FFA program at the Western Placer Unified School District board meeting on Jan. 21, telling trustees the program provides leadership training, supervised agricultural experiences and state- and national-level conference opportunities.

Jacob (Jake) Wilhite, Lincoln’s lead agriculture instructor and FFA advisor, said he oversees the agriscience and ag-business pathways and coordinates student leadership activities, contests and conferences. “The benefit of being the lead adviser for a leadership program is that I have great students who can do all the talking for me,” Wilhite said.

Student chapter president Liliana Peterson described FFA’s structure and opportunities and told trustees FFA transformed her high school experience: “This program has single handedly transformed my life,” Peterson said. She reviewed competitions (career development and leadership development events), supervised agricultural experiences (SAE), degree milestones from Discovery through the American Degree and regional/state/national conventions.

Why it matters: Peterson said FFA gives students “public speaking, leadership and career” skills, and Wilhite said the agriculture industry must cultivate leaders as farmland and food production face changing demands. The board heard that Lincoln’s chapter hosts sectional contests and sends students to state workshops and national conventions.

Program scale and outcomes: Presenters said FFA participation is large at Lincoln and noted examples of student achievements, including state-level awards and a strong chapter website (lincolnffa.org). The chapter president said the American Degree is rare and requires substantial SAE earnings or investment and demonstrated long-term commitment.

Board reaction and context: Trustees praised student speakers and noted connections between FFA leadership skills and workforce readiness. The board heard that Sierra College and other postsecondary partners have visited the school farm; district staff said stronger college–program partnerships are being pursued.

Provenance: The account is drawn from the advisor’s remarks introducing FFA and from Peterson’s presentation describing FFA history, degree structure, contests and student experiences.","Lincoln High School’s FFA advisor and student chapter president described the program’s leadership, supervised experience projects and competition successes and asked trustees to recognize how the program supports career and college readiness.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":55,"_73":55},6371935,"Lincoln High students describe AP Capstone as ‘college-level’ boost; board hears program update",334,2776000,3110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2148710-ef01dd7034aa2bd37d28bcbcc235a3e9&start=2776&end=3110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2148710-ef01dd7034aa2bd37d28bcbcc235a3e9/thumbnail_2776000.jpg","/articles/6371935/California/Lincoln-High-students-describe-AP-Capstone-as-college-level-boost-board-hears-program-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371935-93444e60f497c4f1e809d795b25dc6a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178246&Signature=XsamWrP3JV3odTsynkkm162~MGgZORUid9P6zdL-ZMt1Ru5nRcs2IF0PI6jQj6XrNONruj3otWOjBe03VlK77dtOnpFmTvFa4HnGbYc8~2s76lFgLwzcN6VUgqlzGXk-QgZm2gR1oZsAz5xyu6UAt53IWmGSEiMB-gzu5hvqQ7fa6cnVpliuSHPylIx8~bafMpy~0jKHf-BQzzNvr7DjPyEbPCy7cIA7pcjzkTzGQkh2E54mjB~fIHufSNsn5HP51SELSo22cQtBmNRbII0TCnE-A9RzK6vJybqdSCk5Dz5gyQwTBR2J-pIYdVBBr7jaRZRtZZBli5-5Pknvjj2mPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lincoln High School officials and students presented the board with an update on the campus’ Advanced Placement offerings on Jan. 21, telling trustees that AP enrollment and pass rates have risen and that the school is expanding AP options.

AP teacher Tara Jean said the AP Capstone sequence — AP Seminar followed by AP Research — asks students to conduct sustained research and public defenses more akin to college work. “They write a 4,000 to 5,000 word academic paper,” Jean said, describing AP Research. “They then have to conduct a presentation of oral defense, which is a 20 minute process of presenting their research and then answering three questions from a panel.”

Why it matters: Board members heard that AP Capstone gives students research, writing and public-speaking experience often expected in college and graduate programs and that the program can strengthen college applications. The presentation noted 368 students were enrolled in AP classes this year and the school ordered 622 AP exams; roughly 44% of 10th–12th graders take at least one AP course.

School leaders said Lincoln offers an AP Capstone diploma path that requires AP Seminar, AP Research and four additional AP exams. Laura Estes, assistant principal overseeing AP at Lincoln, told the board the school now offers at least 16 AP courses this year and plans two more (AP History and AP Music Theory) for next year.

Students in AP Seminar and AP Research joined the presentation. Sophomore Camilla Martella, who is taking AP Seminar, said the course “taught me a lot, like time management” and praised collaborative tasks. A student in AP Research described the class as “like a master’s project” and said the experience of doing original research and defending it before a panel was formative.

The board heard that the district and Lincoln High used LCAP and Title funds to reduce AP exam fees for eligible students — AP exams reduced to $10 for qualifying students — and to offset higher costs for AP Capstone performance exams so cost would not be a barrier to participation. District staff said AP participation also yielded a 60% pass rate (scores of 3 or higher) among AP test-takers this year, which the presenter said was the highest percentage in four years.

Board response and next steps: Trustees asked students about classroom environment and whether students felt out of place; several students said while the work is challenging, it builds confidence. Trustee comments encouraged students to mentor peers and to “lead” others into rigorous courses. The board did not take formal action on the program; the presentation was an informational report requested at prior meetings.

Provenance: Transcript passages where Tara Jean explains AP Research and students describe seminar and research projects were used to prepare this article.","Lincoln High School staff and students told the Western Placer Unified School District board about expansion and student outcomes for the AP program, including AP Capstone (AP Seminar and AP Research), increased AP course access and reduced test fees for qualifying students.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board receives clean district audit, hears governor’s budget outlook and approves recommended budget reductions

Parent tells board of alleged bathroom assault and says school response left family uneasy

Lincoln FFA chapter tells board it 'transformed' members; highlights leadership, competitions and farm programs

Lincoln High students describe AP Capstone as ‘college-level’ boost; board hears program update