Berkeley USD Regular School Board Meeting May 6 2026

The Berkeley Unified School District held a regular school board meeting on May 6, 2026, focusing heavily on budget challenges and staffing decisions amid a significant fiscal shortfall. A key procurement-related discussion involved the approval of a resolution to eliminate or reduce classified positions due to lack of funds or work, with initial notices issued to nearly 120 employees and subsequent rescissions reducing that number. The board voted unanimously to amend the resolution to remove four Office of Family Engagement (OFE) specialists from layoff, recognizing their critical role in supporting vulnerable students and families. Public comments overwhelmingly opposed cuts to afterschool programs, restorative justice coordinators, ethnic studies positions, and family engagement roles, emphasizing their importance to student safety, equity, and academic success. The board also received a detailed presentation on attendance and suspension data, highlighting ongoing efforts to improve student attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism through targeted interventions and behavioral health supports. The meeting underscored the district's struggle to balance budget constraints with maintaining essential student services and called for increased state funding to support education programs.