AUSD trustees get update on district budget

By Michael Chaldu · Thu Mar 19 2026

Board also gets report on first-year Early College Program, and mulls over change in extracurricular GPA requirement

ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Unified School District covered a few bases during its meeting on Tuesday, March 17, not the least of which was an update on the district's current budget.

Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Kendyl Darnell introduced the 2025-2026 Second Interim report for the reporting period ending on Jan. 31, 2026. The review is to certify the ability of the district to meet its financial obligations for the remainder of the current year and, based on current projections for the two subsequent fiscal years.

Darnell began by stating the budget still has a status of "positive," meaning the district is able to meet the financial obligations of that time frame.

In reviewing the budget, Darnell noted the district reports an enrollment of 4,275 students, down 363 from the year before, with the General Fund increased to $70,660,456 from $68,979,093 in the First Interim Budget.

Unfortunately, Darnell said the district was continuing to operate in a deficit, although the current deficit ($5,218,664) did show a slight decrease.

Darnell said one challenge, shared by many other districts, was funding the costs of special education students, with a contributing factor being that AUSD needs to contract out the positions of many special education personnel. The budget projects a contribution of $13.2 million from its Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) fund, which comes out to 72 percent of the special education budget. Another problem is that the district, according to Darnell, doesn't get Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) funding — "although they should," Darnell remarked.

When asked if there was any federal or state funds that could help, Darnell said there was a proposal by Gov. Gavin Newsom that could bring some money, but it would be negligible. "We're kind of at a tipping point as fare as that funding," she said.

The board ultimately approved the budget by a 7-0 vote, and Darnell said the next updated budget would be presented in June.

In another item, the first reading of Board Policy, a discussion was initiated about the minimum grade-point requirement to participate in extracurricular activities, including sports.

The current requirement is for an AHS student to maintain a 2.0 GPA.

However, Trustee Rebekah Koznek suggested that the district add to that requirement that the student could not get an F in any class, regardless of total GPA.

Board President Denise McGrew Kane said she agreed with the sentiment, but worried that it might drive away some student from school.

"What about the person who’s struggling, playing one sport and that’s the only thing keeping them in school," McGrew-Kane said. "Plus, who knows what the circumstances are behind the failing grade. I understand life happens sometimes."

Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services, EJ Rossi admitted the policy add would be "above and beyond" general policy, noting that the CIF requirement is a minimum 2.0 GPA and the students must pass at least 20 semester credits.

Other trustees, like Joey Arnold and Corinne Kuhle, felt like the policy was fine as is, while Tracy Ellis-Weit believed a solid policy must be established, because otherwise appeals would depend on the counselor who is consulted, saying some were more strict on the policy than others.

Because it was a first reading, no action was taken on the proposal, and the board agreed to table it.

To wrap up the meeting, Rossi gave a report on Atascadero High's Early College Program (ECP).

In the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, the Board of Trustees formally recognized the commencement of the program. Over the course of the next four months, the school's administration, counselors, and Josh Aston, the director of secondary instruction, partnered with Cuesta College and participated in the Dual Enrollment Leadership Academy, to develop, build, and guide the full implementation of the program. 

Rossi announced that 41 dual enrollment courses with Cuesta had been established, along with nine Career Technical Education (CTE). He identified the benefits of the program for students: "Forward-thinking" pathways for those seeking career education, flexible and expanded options for courses, the chance to get early college credits at Cuesta, and substantial cost savings for aspiring college students.

Rossi said the under the program, AHS students would have access to all Cuesta courses, and it also is a benefit to those entering the Cuesta Promise program, which gives SLO County students free enrollment for two consecutive years, because students could have up to 26 credits before the Promise program kicks in.

When asked about any data so far on the program, Rossi there wasn't any yet because the program is in its first year, but he felt the program was successful in retaining some students who might have left school otherwise.

"This gives our kids a bridge to the future," Rossi said. "I'm proud of the work our high school has done."

At the end of the meeting, Board President Denise McGrew-Kane announced that the next meeting would be April 21, more than a month from now, at 7 p.m. The board will not meet on April 7, the first Tuesday of the month, because it is during the district Spring Break.