Coachella Valley Unified School District Secures Aid to Manage Financial Crisis

THERMAL (CNS) - Facing a multimillion-dollar budget deficit that led
to massive layoffs earlier this year, the Coachella Valley Unified School
District has partnered with the state's Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance
Team to address its finances and craft a plan for long-term stability.
  

District officials said they plan to share updates in October.
  

In a statement posted on social media Monday, the district said it
secured a contract with FCMAT for a ``comprehensive fiscal analysis of the
district's financial position.''
  

FCMAT, an independent state agency, provides California school
districts with expertise to ``identify and resolve financial and operational
management challenges,'' according to the district statement.
  

CVUSD's financial troubles stem from alleged misuse of pandemic relief
funds that ballooned into a projected $60 million shortfall. More than 100
staff members were laid off as a result, a move opposed by the Coachella Valley
Teachers Association.
  

On Monday, the union said in a Facebook post that it had reached a
``collective agreement'' with the district, though no details were immediately
released.
  

In June, Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez, R-Indio, called for a state audit
of the district, but the request failed in Sacramento.
  

``I am encouraged by the agreement between FCMAT and CVUSD that will
result in a comprehensive, independent, multi-year budget projection and cash-
flow analysis of the district,'' Sate Senator Steve Padilla said in a statement
Tuesday. ``In times of financial trouble, FCMAT has the proven expertise in
guiding districts across the state out of perilous fiscal situations and
thereby avoiding the situation deteriorating into state receivership.''
  

Padilla, who represents Senate District 18 including Coachella Valley,
secured the independent analysis to preserve CVUSD's fiscal health.
  

Officials said it ``remains committed to responsible stewardship of
public funds, transparency in decision-making and the success of every student
it serves.''
  

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