District staff presented a facilities development status report to the Board of Trustees on the completion of HVAC upgrades at Eader, Peterson, Smith, and Dwyer. Following a Board resolution awarding the project on February 11, 2025, the work, first identified through a districtwide investigation into improving school learning environments beginning in 2022, was completed in two phases: Eader and Peterson in summer 2025, and Smith and Dwyer in summer 2026. Electrical upgrades completed during the 2025–26 school year and equipment pre-purchased in advance kept the second phase on track, and all units were operational and cooling classrooms on the first day of school. The report served as the project's final update to the Board. |
District staff shared an update with the Board of Trustees on how HBCSD uses technology in classrooms and across the District.
Our approach. Technology in HBCSD classrooms is a tool, not a substitute for great teaching. Devices help students think critically, solve problems, and create, not just consume content, and every student, at every school site, has equal access to the same quality tools.
A device for every student. Every TK–8 student has their own Chromebook or iPad for learning, for 5,900 devices districtwide, refreshed regularly to stay reliable and up to date. Just as important, staff is trained to balance screen time with hands-on and face-to-face learning, so technology supports the school day rather than taking it over.
Keeping students safe online. HBCSD uses Securly, a trusted safety platform, to protect students both at school and at home. It filters harmful content, flags warning signs like cyberbullying or self-harm so staff can respond quickly, and gives parents a companion app to see search history and pause device use after school hours. All of this meets federal student safety standards, and the District reviews it regularly to stay ahead of new risks.
What's next. The District will keep training teachers on classroom technology, conducting regular safety checks, and encouraging more families to use the Securly Home app so student safety extends beyond the school day. More information on Securly and our technology programs will be shared with families in the coming weeks and throughout the year.
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Dyslexia Awareness Month is recognized each October by the International Dyslexia Association to raise awareness and support early identification and treatment of dyslexia. There is no fiscal impact associated with this item. The Board adopted Resolution No. 03-26/27, recognizing October 2026 as Dyslexia Awareness Month. |
School districts nationwide have pursued claims against social media and video game companies over product design features alleged to contribute to youth addiction and related mental health, behavioral, and educational impacts, with social media claims proceeding through coordinated federal multidistrict litigation. Participation allows the District to pursue its own claims while benefiting from coordinated discovery and shared litigation resources, retaining authority over any resolution or settlement of its individual claims; outside counsel will advance litigation costs and be paid only upon recovery, so the action carries no direct fiscal impact. The Board adopted Resolution No. 05-26/27, authorizing the District's participation in social media and video game addiction litigation and authorizing the Superintendent or designee to take actions necessary to implement it. |
To secure enough substitutes for professional development training dates, the District raised the certificated substitute daily rate from $175 to $225 for specified dates in the 2025–2026 school year. Continuing this increase into 2026–2027 is expected to cost approximately $116,108 annually, funded through the appropriate budget based on substitute utilization. The Board approved maintaining the $225 daily certificated substitute rate for specified professional development dates beginning September 29, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027. |
In compliance with AB 1200 requirements, staff presented the District's 2025-26 Unaudited Actuals, developed using the Standardized Account Code Structure (SACS) process prescribed by the California Department of Education and Orange County Department of Education. The report marks the September 15 checkpoint in the District's annual budget cycle, reflecting final 2025-26 revenues and expenditures following fiscal year-end closing activities; the figures have not yet been reviewed by external auditors.
2025-26 General Fund highlights:
- Total revenues: $82,396,371
- Total expenditures: $81,627,784
- Net change in fund balance: $1,768,588
- Combined ending fund balance: $20,588,065 (25% of expenditures districtwide)
- Unrestricted reserves: $12,277,810 (15% of expenditures)
Ending balance includes:
- 3% state-required reserve for economic uncertainty: $2,448,834
- 5% Board policy reserve: $4,081,389
- Committed for lease obligations: $1,601,143
- Committed for technology replacement: $1,011,799
- Restricted reserves (Expanded Learning Opportunities, special education, Prop 28 Arts and Music, and other categories): $8,310,255
There are no updates to the 2026-27 Budget as adopted on June 16, 2026. The unrestricted ending fund balance increased by $890,600 over the Estimated Actuals period, primarily due to the use of one-time grants to offset General Fund expenditures and a decrease in special education shared program costs.
Next steps in the budget cycle:
- December 2026: 2026-27 First Interim Report
- January 2027: 2025-26 Audit Report
- March 2027: 2026-27 Second Interim Report
The Board approved the 2025-2026 year-end closing financial statements.
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- September 17, 2026 | Elementary School Back to School Night
- September 24, 2026 | Middle School Back to School Night
- October 13, 2026 - 6 pm | Board Meeting
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