The Lynwood Unified School District Board of Education received an update on the District’s budget challenges during its February 13 board meeting, including the financial impact of declining student enrollment, rising costs of essential services and fluctuations in state funding.
Like many California school districts, Lynwood Unified has fewer students due to lower birth rates and fewer families with elementary school-age children in the community. Enrollment has dropped from 13,245 students in the 2019-20 school year to 10,762 in 2024-25 and is projected to fall below 9,000 by 2030-31.
Since funding is based on average daily attendance (ADA), fewer students mean less state funding, while costs for salaries, health care, pensions, special education and inflation continue to rise. Additionally, one-time pandemic relief funds – which helped address learning gaps, safety and student and staff wellness during COVID-19 – are set to expire. The District has also provided the three unions with information about these challenges.
“While we continue to create engaging programs for our students, the reality is that fewer children are entering the school system statewide,” Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Gretchen Janson, Ed.D., said. “By making thoughtful, strategic decisions now, we can protect our classrooms and ensure long-term financial stability for our schools.”
The District will implement a series of budget-conscious measures to address these challenges while continuing to provide high-quality programs and services for students. Steps include:
- Protecting the Classroom: Reduce or eliminate contracts and maximize the use of existing materials and supplies.
- Pausing Non-Essential Hiring: Only filling positions that are critical to school operations.
- Adjusting Staffing to Match Enrollment: Reduce management and align staffing with enrollment, as 80% of the budget is dedicated to teacher and staff salaries and benefits.
- Creating a Fiscal Stabilization Plan: As requested by the Los Angeles County Office of Education, develop a plan to reduce overspending and ensure long-term financial stability.
“We are facing the same financial challenges as many districts across the state, but our commitment to providing a high-quality education to our students remains unwavering,” said Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite, Ph.D. “We are dedicated to preserving class sizes, instructional programs and essential services to ensure we continue meeting the needs of our students and fostering excellence.”