As California’s public schools approach the end of 2025, a wave of changes, challenges, and achievements is sweeping across districts from the Coachella Valley to the Bay Area. While some districts are celebrating innovative programs and community recognition, others are grappling with the financial realities of funding formulas, tax measures, and budget deficits. The stories unfolding in Palm Springs, Sunnyvale, and Ross Valley offer a revealing snapshot of the state’s education landscape as it navigates policy shifts, economic pressures, and efforts to better serve students and their families.
In the Coachella Valley, the Palm Springs Unified School District (PSUSD) has been making a concerted push to gather income eligibility forms from families—a process that might seem redundant now that California provides universal free meals to all K-12 students. Yet, as The Desert Sun reports, these forms remain critical for schools’ budgets. Under the state’s Local Control Funding Formula, districts receive base funding for every student, but supplemental and concentration grants are allocated based on indicators of student need, such as income eligibility. Without updated forms, districts could lose out on vital funds used to support programs and services for students who need them most.
Earlier this school year, about 6,000 students in PSUSD had not submitted the required forms. Thanks to persistent outreach by school staff, that number dropped to 4,200 by December 17, 2025. The district, which enrolls roughly 19,184 students and typically achieves an 89% form completion rate, is racing against a December 31 deadline to ensure they have the necessary data for the state’s January reporting requirements. As PSUSD stressed in a media release, all information provided by families is confidential and does not affect students’ access to free meals, which remain available to all.
Meanwhile, the Desert Sands Unified School District has seen a reshuffling of leadership. In December, Craig Christensen was named principal of Desert Ridge Academy in Indio, a middle school serving nearly a thousand students. Christensen, who began his education career with Palm Springs Unified in 1997 and joined Desert Sands in 2000, now passes the baton at Abraham Lincoln Elementary in Palm Desert to Meredith Greenwood, who previously served as assistant principal at Desert Ridge. Michael Williams, formerly of Coachella Valley Unified, also joined Palm Desert High School as assistant principal. These appointments reflect the ongoing efforts to strengthen school leadership and support student achievement in the region.
For students looking ahead to college or trade school, the Dr. Carreón Foundation has opened its 2026 scholarship application cycle. The foundation, which awarded $290,000 in scholarships in 2025—an increase of $110,000 from the previous year—offers up to $2,000 for two-year college or vocational students and up to $5,000 for those attending four-year programs. Applicants must be from the Coachella Valley or Blythe, belong to specified minority backgrounds, maintain at least a 2.5 GPA, and demonstrate leadership and financial need. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2026, giving local students a valuable opportunity to offset tuition and living expenses.
Northward in Sunnyvale, the spotlight has turned to family engagement and economic equity. The Sunnyvale School District’s Family Engagement Program was recognized with the 2025 Golden Bell Award by the California School Boards Association (CSBA) for boosting parent participation by more than 30%. The program offers culturally responsive workshops and resources, helping families—especially those who are Hispanic, Black, English learners, or have students with disabilities—navigate individualized education programs and access mental health services. Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite summed up the district’s philosophy: “When parents feel empowered as co-educators, the impact on student learning and outcomes is transformative. We are not just celebrating a program; we are celebrating a philosophy that positions parents as our most important partners.”
The Golden Bell Awards, now in their 46th year, honor outstanding school board programs and governance practices across California. This year, 74 recipients were chosen from 263 entries, with a 71-member judging panel drawn from school districts and county offices of education. Sunnyvale’s recognition highlights the growing emphasis on partnerships between schools and families, especially in communities where language and cultural barriers have historically hindered engagement.
Sunnyvale is also making headlines for its economic policies. Starting January 1, 2026, the city’s minimum wage will rise to $19.50 per hour, following a 2015 ordinance that ties annual increases to the regional Consumer Price Index. This adjustment aims to help working families keep pace with the region’s high cost of living—a factor that can directly influence student well-being and educational outcomes.
While some districts are celebrating, others are facing tough decisions. In Marin County’s Ross Valley School District, a recent poll revealed that about 65% of likely voters support the renewal of the district’s $749 per parcel tax, along with a proposed $540 increase. That’s tantalizingly close to—but still short of—the two-thirds majority needed for passage. The poll, conducted November 10-12, 2025, echoes the results of May’s failed Measure E, which garnered 63% approval (about 4 percentage points shy of the threshold).
Superintendent Tyler Graff remains cautiously optimistic: “We’re optimistic, but there’s still work to do.” The district has revised its proposal to address voter concerns, switching back to a flat per-parcel tax (rather than a per-square-foot model) and aligning the vote with the June 2, 2026, general election, rather than a special election. “Our voters have had a flat tax for 30 years,” Graff explained. “They didn’t want to change their method.”
Despite these efforts, the financial stakes remain high. The district, which serves about 1,720 students across four elementary schools and a middle school in Fairfax and San Anselmo, faces a growing budget deficit within its $30 million spending plan. Chief Finance Officer Chris Carson projects that reserves will drop from 7.3% in 2025-26 to possibly below the state-mandated 3% by 2027-28 unless new revenue is secured. Last year, the district ran a $2.6 million deficit; this year, it’s projected to climb to $3 million. If the new parcel tax fails, the district may be forced to cut $1 million from the 2026-27 budget, potentially leading to staff layoffs or even school closures.
Teachers, for their part, have agreed to a zero-percent raise for 2025-26, accepting a one-time $1,000 bonus and increased healthcare benefits instead. “It’s not that we think the district doesn’t value us. It’s because the funds simply aren’t there,” said Autumn Arbree, a social worker at White Hill Middle School. The sentiment is clear: educators want to remain competitive with their peers, but understand the district’s financial constraints.
As the Ross Valley board prepares to discuss revised tax proposals on January 27, 2026, with a final decision expected by February 11, the community faces a pivotal moment. Board president Rachel Litwack emphasized the importance of communication: “We need to actually talk to people.” Meanwhile, local taxpayer advocates, like the Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers, urge the district to consider a lower increase, warning of voter fatigue and a potential "tax tsunami" on the 2026 ballot.
Across California, these stories reflect the balancing act facing public education: securing adequate funding, engaging families, and adapting to changing policy landscapes—all while keeping students’ needs at the heart of every decision. As the new year approaches, districts large and small are striving to build a stronger future for their communities, one form, one program, and one tough conversation at a time.
