Dear Lafayette School District Staff and Community,
Thank you to everyone who attended or listened to the Governing Board meeting this past Wednesday, January 14th. At that meeting, we began a difficult but necessary public conversation regarding the District’s budget for the 2026-27 school year.
I am writing to you today because I believe that transparency is the foundation of trust. As we face the challenge of aligning our expenses with our revenue for the coming school years, we are looking at draft reduction lists of $2 million that include people and positions that are woven into the daily fabric of our schools.
In the spirit of openness, I want to be specific about the draft proposals that were shared with the Board. The lists under consideration include potential reductions to the following:
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Classroom Aides
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Library Aides
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PE Specialists
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Elementary Assistant Principal
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School Office Staff
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District Office Staff
There are additional positions under consideration by the Board. The full lists can be seen by clicking this link:
We know that seeing these positions in writing is unsettling, even if only in draft form. These are not just line items in a spreadsheet; they represent valued colleagues and critical support systems that directly impact the experience of our students.
How You Can Help
Since these lists became public last week, many of you have asked, "What can we do?" There are two immediate and effective ways you can take action to support our schools:
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Stay Informed on Measure L: On Wednesday, the Board also began discussing the implications of the upcoming expiration of Measure L. This local parcel tax brings nearly $3 million annually to our District. Understanding the role this funding plays in our budget is essential as we plan for the future.
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Support LPIE: Our partnership with Lafayette Partners in Education (LPIE) is more critical than ever. A donation to LPIE directly supports teachers, programs, and resources in our classrooms. If you have not yet donated, or are able to give again, please know that your contribution has a tangible impact on preserving what we value most.
Upcoming Opportunities to Engage
We are committed to navigating this process with you, not just for you. Please mark your calendars so that you can get involved in our next steps:
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January 28 (4:00 PM – 7:00 PM): The Board will hold a Special Public Study Session in the Stanley Library to deliberate further on these items. We invite you to listen in as the Board does the hard work of weighing these options.
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Early February: We will send out an electronic survey to gather your feedback and ideas regarding the draft reduction lists.
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February 4 at 5:00 PM: Join me for a Virtual Community Town Hall. This will be a space to discuss the budget landscape in detail, answer your questions, and hear feedback.
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Link to Join: Virtual Town Hall RE: Budget
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February 11 at 6:00: Governing Board meeting in the Stanley Library.
These meetings will include an opportunity for public comment. You can also email me directly at [email protected]. Your feedback will be shared directly with the Governing Board and our District Budget Advisory Committee.
While the financial reality we face is serious, I remain optimistic about our community. We have solved hard problems together before, and I am confident that by working collaboratively - staff, Board, and families - we will find a path forward that protects the heart of our schools.
Sincerely,
Brent Stephens
Superintendent