Fullerton Joint Union High School District

December 10 Board Meeting

FJUHSD board meeting on December 10 celebrated girls’ flag football teams, covered the first interim report, and announced the retirement of Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Dr. Ed Atkinson, in June 2025.

Girl’s Flag Football

In FJUHSD’s first year participating in CIF girl’s flag football, every comprehensive high school team played with two of the school teams placing in the CIF championship rounds. Fullerton Union HS won third place in the Empire League CIF Division 4, and Troy HS won its North Hills League Division 3 championship.

Budget Update

Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Ruben Hernandez presented the first interim report comparing the June 30 approved budget to the reality of spending up to October 31. Differences in state and federal funding amounts coupled with real FJUHSD expenditures create budget adjustments. The initial district budget projected $227.4 million in revenue with a projected $240.5 million in expenses, changing to $231.8 million in revenue with $246.3 million in expenses (revenue and expenses are much closer once the books closed in September; last year, the district spent $5 million less than projected).

Revenues increased due to greater property tax income and interest rates. The district is budgeting $2.5 million for increased expenses in capital outlay for facilities projects, $2.8 million for ongoing mental health services, and increased sports transportation costs.
The district currently has healthy capital reserves, and the trustees voted 5-0, approving the first interim report with a positive review stating the district will be able to cover the capital outlay for the next school year.

Administration

Atkinson retires in June 2025, and trustees voted to move Human Resources (HR) Director Mark Miller into the assistant superintendent of HR position beginning in July 1, 2025 with a 3-year contract. Superintendent Dr. Steve McLaughlin called it a “seamless transition” since Miller experienced a “virtual 2-year intensive interview for the position.” McLaughlin spoke fondly of Atkinson’s 15 years of tireless dedication to the district and promised a transparent job interview process for the new HR Director and HR Manager positions since FJUHSD HR Manager, Melinda Rodriguez, left FJUHSD after 28 years for a new position with the City of La Habra.

At the December 17 FJUHSD Board meeting, incumbent trustees Dr. Vicki Calhoun and Joanne Fawley were sworn in by Dr. McLaughlin. The board approved Dr. Calhoun as the new board president for 2025 and named Marilyn Buchi as clerk.

The next FJUHSD Board meeting scheduled is January 14 at 6 pm.

Open Enrollment

Every January, FJUHSD offers students the opportunity to choose their school; if you wish to attend your home school, there is nothing to do. This is open to all 2025-26 incoming 9th graders to incoming 12th graders living inside the FJUHSD boundaries.

Some rules must be followed precisely, but if families are interested, please go to the FJUHSD home page and look under “Prospective Students.” The opportunity opens January 13 and ends without exceptions on January 31 at 3pm. Interested families can look at the website http://www.fjuhsd.org or contact elopez@fjuhsd.org with any questions. For all incoming students, high school open houses begin on January 9 and run through January 23 (for details go to the fjuhsd.org website).