Fullerton School District

September 30 meeting

Trustee Thakur Resigns

FSD board member Aaruni Thakur resigned on September 30, and his 7-year tenure was celebrated at the September 16 FSD board meeting.

The remaining trustees voted to appoint an interim trustee to serve until November 2026, when FSD Area 1 residents elect a new board member.

To apply for the position, you must be 18 years or older, a US citizen, a CA resident who currently resides in the District Area located in west Fullerton, and have no legal reason impairing your ability to serve.

The board approved appointing an interim after learning that it would cost between $200,000 – $750,000 to hold a special election to fill the vacancy.

The interview process, trustee votes, and appointment determination will be held in public session.

Applications will be open until October 17, and the interview/appointment process will take place on October 29 at 5 pm. Go to  www.fullertonsd.org for the district area map, job information, and application form.

Apple Distinction Award

In a significant announcement, Dr. Bob Pletka, Superintendent of Fullerton School District (FSD), revealed that the district has earned the prestigious Apple Distinction Status.

This achievement highlights the exemplary efforts of Assistant Superintendent of Innovation and Instructional Support, Jeremy Davis, along with the dedication of both classified and certificated staff.

FSD stands out as the only school district west of Texas where every school has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School. This accolade signifies that all 20 schools within the district are effectively integrating Apple technology into their educational framework, fostering innovation and enhancing academic outcomes.

The district’s commitment to leveraging technology for education is evident in its approach to professional development. In 2024, FSD provided comprehensive training for all teachers on incorporating artificial intelligence as an educational tool.

Budget Update

Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Dr. Rob Coghlin, presented the unaudited actuals for the 2024/25 school year. This financial review compares the June 2025 year-end budget numbers with the actual income and expenses that will be reviewed by an outside auditor.

FSD ended the 2024/25 school year with a $148 million budget, increasing income estimates by only $60,000. After expenses, the district started the August 2025/26 school year with $25.7 million, about $248,000 higher than the 2024/25 school year’s beginning balance. The district monitors world events, federal policy changes, state funding, and ongoing lower enrollment to recommend any necessary changes.

Trustee James Cho asked the board to consider using over half of the saved income to fund after-school activities for all students starting in January. This was not on the agenda, so it will be revisited at the next board meeting.
Trustee Cho did not ask the district administration about any ramifications of this decision or how many administrative hours it would take to research and report on this suggestion.

At August’s Trustee Protocol meeting, the trustees agreed to pare down their numerous requests from staff for research on new projects or suggestions, and to ask for real life consequences of their decisions to change previously scheduled events or programs. Most programs and budgets are created months in advance, and changes to, for example, camp schedules or after-school programs, mid-year, can have unintended consequences.

Measure “N” Project Update

The Facilities Bond Measure “N” is set to launch a series of projects across the district.
This initiative will commence with upgrades to 16 playground locations, enhancing playground equipment for students and families.

Additionally, a groundbreaking ceremony for the long-awaited Arts and Recreation Center at Nicolas Junior High was scheduled for September, marking an exciting development in the district’s commitment to fostering creativity and community engagement.

The next meeting is scheduled for October 14 at 6 pm.