Lehman Office Hours Feb ‘26
I attended Trustee Office Hours today. Jason Lehman, whose represents this district was absent. It’s the 2nd Office Hours meeting he’s missed along with the fact he was not at the last Board meeting as well. David Bell attended in his place, and I want to share what occurred for those who could not be there.
4/5 staff members were present, including the El Verano librarian. The librarian shared that she does not want her hours reduced, but would accept a cut in order to keep her benefits. That is the human reality behind these decisions. I pointed out that one of the biggest complaints from district teachers is they have been left out of the conversations about which cuts would be the least detrimental to the students.
I have heard them repeat this issue 3 or 4 times over the last 15 months at board meetings. David Bell acknowledged that he did not ask detailed questions about which specific positions should be cut and stated he does not fully understand what those positions involve.
Questions were asked about the financial impact of the charter approval: Trustee Bell stated that closing Prestwood saves approximately $1.75 million before accounting for seven teacher reductions.
As was stated in SVUSD’s own analysis: “STAFF REPORT AND FINDINGS OF FACT REGARDING THE PETITION TO ESTABLISH MACARTHUR PARK CHARTER SCHOOL December 16, 2025”
• The District would be required to provide approximately $2,300,000 to the Charter School in funding in lieu of property taxes. • To offset that cost, the District calculated it would need to eliminate seven additional teaching positions. • Even after eliminating those seven positions, the District projected a remaining deficit of $300,000–$400,000. • The net impact would effectively eliminate the approximately $1,400,000 savings generated by closing Prestwood. The District explicitly stated that approval of the charter would cost approximately $2.3 million annually, require seven additional teacher cuts, and still leave a $300k–$400k shortfall, effectively wiping out the financial benefit of the school closure. It also separately references the loss of ADA (Average Daily Attendance) funding from students enrolling in the charter.
I asked: “Can you identify one district-level service for the remaining 3,100 students that will improve as a result of approving the charter?”
That question was not answered.
Staff also questioned why positions are being cut after closing a school “to save money,” and asked about administrative costs, including the need for multiple superintendent-level roles.
David brought up the Mississippi literacy example , which he has raised at least 2 other meetings I’ve attended. David uses this as an example of how a poor state with low literacy rates, have since turned around their literacy rates from being 49th in the nation to now being 9th.
It was pointed out that Mississippi’s gains followed a decade of targeted investment and sustained funding of millions of dollars. When asked where that sustained funding would come from locally, no clear answer was provided.
At two points, David Bell stood up to leave, stating that people were talking over him. Attendees were asking multi-part questions. The atmosphere became tense. He was unaware that he was interrupting as they were trying to ask and seek answers to difficult questions.
You do not have to speak at these meetings. But showing up and being witness to them matters. Decisions are being made that affect 3,100 district students. Being informed and present is how we ensure accountability. If you care about what is happening in our district, attend a Board or Trustee office hour meetings. Listening and being witness firsthand is powerful and necessary to continue to advocate for the students of this district.