Fullerton School District and Fullerton Joint Union High School District held their annual organizational board meetings on December 9.

Organizational meetings determine new board officers, approve upcoming meeting dates, celebrate the past board presidents, and set the tone for the next 12 months. Both school boards follow a December-to-December annual schedule, allowing for steady school year decisions, and Fullerton’s respective school boards honor a fair rotation of positions, so the transitions are orderly and drama-free.

Each board votes in their officer positions, thanks their past president, and reviews the board’s ongoing goals moving forward. The board president position has no additional inherent power over board policies or votes. Board presidents influence agenda priorities, meet weekly with the district superintendent, and personify the current school district board by attending and speaking at numerous community functions.

FSD trustees elect a Vice President who will serve the following term, and a clerk who signs the official board documents.
FJUHSD trustees elect a board president and a clerk who serves as next in line for board president.

Superintendents serve as secretary, recording meeting minutes, and serve as a parliamentarian for procedural questions.
Outgoing board presidents are usually celebrated for their leadership, with past year accomplishments noted.
At the high school district, 2025 President, Dr. Vicky Calhoun, received gifts and praise from Superintendent, Dr. Steve McLaughlin, with a highlight video that recorded significant events, including facilities bond organization meetings, union contract negotiations for all staff, an early retirement package, and her visits to students at school sites throughout the district.

FSD Superintendent, Dr. Bob Pletka, commended 2025 President Beverly Berryman on her continual support for Fullerton’s children and their families. President Berryman’s tenure included negotiated union staff contracts, setting up the FSD’s facilities bond, breaking ground on new facilities projects at Parks and Nicolas Junior High schools, overseeing the trustee appointment to replace Aaruni Thakur’s sudden departure in September, as well as numerous visits throughout the district’s school sites and the community at large.

New FJUHSD Board President, Marilyn Buchi, said she proudly serves FJUHSD, where, through trustee collaboration, the board provides a framework allowing the district to focus on student success and reflective of community priorities for their children’s education. New FSD Board President Ruthi Hanchett made an inappropriate political announcement and stated her agenda for FSD’s upcoming year.

The legally required First Interim Budget report compares a district’s June 30 adopted budget to actual district revenue with expenditures from July 1 through October 31. Dr. Rob Coghlan, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, explained that FSD’s income went down $160,000 to $149.21 million due to less lottery income and lower transitional kindergarten enrollment.

Expenditures increased to a projected $150 million due to new contracts, but were offset by lower benefit costs. The budget expenditure and income numbers are close and supported by an ongoing reserve of over $24 million, leaving the elementary district in a strong position to meet all fiscal payments over the next 3 years. The FSD board approved the positive First Interim report 5-0.

Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, Mr. Ruben Hernandez, presented the FJUHSD First Interim report showing no revenue changes in the income compared to the projected income in the June budget.

Expenditures showed a planned one-time increase due to last year’s early retirement program, showing expenditures projected to hit $247.6 million this year, with revenue projected at $238.6 million. FJUHSD planned for this discrepancy and has a 32% reserve budget that includes over $52 million in unassigned funds to cover these additional costs.
The district’s long-term fiscally conservative policy supported this planned expense, and with a healthy reserve, the trustees voted 5-0, approving a positive first interim report stating the district will be able to cover the capital outlay for the next three school years.

Both districts are watching and fiscally preparing for ongoing declining enrollment, rising healthcare costs, state deficits, world events, and federal government changes to education funding.

The next regular scheduled meeting for FSD Board is January 20 at 6pm.

The next regular scheduled meeting for FJUHSD board is January 13 at 6pm.