OUSD School Board Meeting - May 21, 2026

The Orange Unified School District held a regular board meeting on May 21, 2026, focusing extensively on budget planning, facility improvements, and educational program updates. Key procurement-related discussions included a $40 million campus improvement program targeting elementary schools, with projects such as roof replacements, new marquees, exterior painting, playground redesigns, and installation of teaching walls with interactive technology. The district also discussed reallocating existing budget funds to increase school-level support positions, including behavior specialists and assistant principals, without requesting additional funding. A consultant contract was proposed to improve business services efficiency. The board reviewed the 2026-27 proposed budget emphasizing investments in personnel compensation, maintaining healthy reserves, and managing declining enrollment. The meeting included approval of a tentative agreement with the Orange Unified Education Association for district leadership employees. Additionally, the board discussed the local control and accountability plan (LCAP) and the gifted and talented education (GATE) program updates. The school calendar for 2027-28 was adopted with plans to revisit subsequent years. Public comments addressed concerns about calendar scheduling and staff preparation time. Overall, the meeting highlighted strategic budget realignment to prioritize direct school support and capital improvements to enhance learning environments.