January 23, 2026

Dear MBUSD Parents and Community,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. In today’s issue, we will highlight:

The Electives Department at Manhattan Beach Middle School plays a critical role in providing students with creative, engaging, and meaningful learning experiences. Elective classrooms are spaces where students develop discipline-specific skills, collaboration, and confidence, and the department is intentional about ensuring these environments are structured, inclusive, and purposeful.

Throughout the year, the department has focused on aligning around shared goals and strengthening consistency across elective spaces. Teachers have engaged in reflective conversations about expectations, instructional priorities, and what student success should look like, building a strong foundation of trust and collaboration.

A key area of focus is student readiness and engagement. The team develops tools to better understand how students enter and engage in elective work spaces, using data to reflect on routines, expectations, and systems that support learning. In parallel, teachers have worked to strengthen student understanding of discipline-specific vocabulary, creating common assessments that informed instructional decisions and led to thoughtful conversations about teaching practices and opportunities for reteaching.

As relationships deepened, the department also examined grading practices and instructional approaches, ensuring alignment and clarity for students. The work then expanded to deeper content learning, with teachers beginning to design Universal Design for Learning (UDL) choice-based assignments that allow students multiple pathways to explore important figures, styles, and movements within each discipline.

Most recently, the department has continued refining an Artist Research Project grounded in UDL principles by unpacking standards, clarifying criteria, and intentionally planning learning steps. This ongoing work reflects the department’s commitment to high expectations, inclusive practices, and continuous improvement.

The MBMS Electives Department exemplifies reflective, student-centered practice, ensuring elective classrooms remain engaging spaces where creativity and rigor go hand in hand.

Thank you to MBMS Principal, Dr. Matt Horvath for contributing this story and for his ongoing dedication to ensuring our students remain at the center of all that we do.

This week, we are proud to highlight Chuck Fox, a dedicated member of our Pacific Elementary team who has spent nearly 20 years supporting students across Manhattan Beach Unified School District. Chuck currently serves as an Intensive Behavioral Intervention Instructional Assistant in a Special Day Class (SDC) at Pacific Elementary School, where he works closely with students to support their individual needs and help foster a positive, inclusive learning environment.

Throughout his nearly two decades with MBUSD, Chuck has worked at almost every school site, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of student support to each role. He began his career in the District as a health aide before transitioning into behavioral support, a path that has allowed him to build strong relationships with students, staff, and families.

Before joining MBUSD, Chuck worked at Camp Run A Muck, a private before- and after-school care program formerly located at Grand View Elementary. The camp’s inclusive philosophy ensured that students with disabilities were fully included in all activities, an experience that helped shape Chuck’s passion for education and inclusive practices.

Reflecting on his time in the District, Chuck shares that each year has been better than the last. One of the most rewarding aspects of his work is the energy and enthusiasm students bring each day, which continues to inspire and energize him.

Outside of school, Chuck enjoys spending time outdoors and can often be found at the beach or exploring local trails.

We are grateful for the experience and energy that Chuck brings to Pacific Elementary School each day. Thank you, Chuck, for the meaningful impact you make on our students, families, and school community!

Each year, the District goes through several formal checkpoints to review and update its budget. One of the most important of these is the First Interim Budget Report, presented in December and required by the California Department of Education. This report provides the Board of Trustees, staff, and community with an updated picture of the District’s finances based on actual revenues and expenditures through October 31, along with projections for the rest of the current year and for the two fiscal years that follow.

What Is the First Interim Budget Report?

California school districts are required to prepare two interim budget reports each year to assess fiscal health and ensure ongoing solvency. The First Interim compares the budget adopted in June with updated financial data and revised assumptions, including changes in enrollment, staffing, revenues, and expenditures.

This report serves as an early indicator of whether a district is on track to meet its financial obligations over the next three years. It also requires the District to certify its fiscal status and identify financial risks that must be addressed through future planning. While the First Interim is a snapshot in time, it is also a critical planning tool that helps shape staffing decisions, budget adjustments, and long-term strategies. As it provides the most updated data available, it is the information that must be used in planning for any staffing reductions that will need to be made before March 15.

How Did We Get Here?

In 2020, the District was in the process of making budget adjustments, when the pandemic provided increased funding and significant programmatic requirements that disrupted this process. Now, as the pandemic recedes into the past. On the revenue side, the District relies primarily on funding from the state through the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). Because MBUSD has a relatively low percentage of unduplicated pupils (UPP), the District receives significantly less supplemental and concentration funding than many neighboring districts, making its share of state funding lower than most other districts. This limits revenue growth even as operational costs continue to rise. While local funding sources such as parcel tax revenue and community support through organizations like the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation, PTAs, and MBX play an essential role in sustaining programs, these funds cannot fully offset long-term structural challenges in state funding.

On the expenditure side, the majority of District spending supports personnel, including salaries and benefits for teachers, staff, and administrators who serve students each day. Rising costs in areas such as health and welfare benefits, pensions, utilities, and contracted services to support programmatic needs, including legally required services for students with disabilities, have continued to outpace revenue growth. Enrollment trends also affect both revenue and staffing needs, further tightening the budget.

The 2025–26 First Interim Budget Report reflects updated multi-year projections showing that, without corrective action, ongoing expenditures would exceed revenues and District reserves would fall below Board policy and state-required levels. These projections prompted the Board to take proactive steps to address the imbalance between ongoing costs and available funding.

What Does the Path Forward Look Like?

In response to the First Interim findings, the Board adopted a Fiscal Stabilization Plan, which outlines a multi-year approach to restoring long-term financial stability. This plan acknowledges that the District is currently in a challenging position and that the road ahead will require difficult decisions. However, those decisions are necessary to ensure the District can remain fiscally solvent and continue to provide high-quality educational experiences over time.

While these realities do not change the District’s commitment to students, curriculum, and enrichment opportunities, they will be felt in how educational programs and services are delivered and accessed in the coming years. The purpose of the Fiscal Stabilization Plan is not just to provide a short-term fix, but also to implement sustainable budgeting that protects core programs and avoids deeper disruptions in the future. The reality is that ongoing differences between state funding levels and the rising cost of programs and services mean the District will need to continue making thoughtful budget adjustments while working toward long-term revenue solutions.

What Comes Next?

The District will continue to monitor revenues and expenditures closely and share updates through Budget Corner to support transparency and timely communication to keep the community informed as this work continues.

Last Friday, Robinson Elementary hosted a PRIDE Assembly centered on inclusion and reinforcing the school’s commitment to remaining a No Place for Hate campus. At Robinson, PRIDE represents the core values of Persistence & Patience, Respect & Responsibility, Inclusivity, Determination & Bravery, and Empathy & Kindness, which guide students in creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive school community.The Robinson No Place for Hate Committee, made up of passionate 4th and 5th grade students meets monthly to lead projects that promote belonging and help ensure every student feels welcomed and valued.

At the assembly, committee members shared their learning around the Interrupting Bias framework and began preparing to teach it school-wide through an upcoming student-led skit. The framework encourages students to Interrupt, Question, Educate, and Echo when they witness hurtful behavior, empowering them with tools to stand up for one another in meaningful ways. It was especially powerful to watch some of Robinson’s young learners confidently take the stage to speak about inclusivity and the important role they can play in being part of a larger, more caring community.

The event was attended by many parents, families, and community members who came together to support this important message while enjoying student skits, performances, and recognitions of student honorees. A special thank you to the Robinson PTSA for supporting the assembly and to Principal Cavallaro for fostering a school environment rooted in inclusion, respect, and care for all.

Mira Costa Choirs are excited to present two upcoming Pops Concerts next week that you won’t want to miss! Directed by the talented Kate Crellin, our choral students will take the stage for two evenings of engaging performances showcasing their hard work and musical talent.

Concert Schedule:

A $10 suggested donation is appreciated but not required. Proceeds from both performances will benefit Mychal’s Learning Place, supporting inclusive educational and social programs for young adults with developmental disabilities.

We hope you’ll join us for an evening of music, community, and meaningful impact as we celebrate our talented choral students.

As we move through the winter months, influenza (flu) activity typically increases in our community. I want to take a moment to share important health guidance from our District Nurses to help families stay informed and take proactive steps to protect their children and one another.

The most effective way to prevent the flu remains the seasonal flu vaccine, which is available through private physicians and many local pharmacies. Families are encouraged to check with their healthcare provider regarding vaccine availability and to seek medical advice at the first sign of flu symptoms.

Our District Nurses also remind families of the following best practices to help reduce the spread of illness and support student well-being:

We are grateful for the partnership of families in helping us maintain healthy learning environments across our schools. Thoughtful prevention and early care make a meaningful difference for our entire community.

I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Kristin Walz, RN, PHN, Leigh Dinneen, RN, PHN, and all of our school site Health Service Assistants, whose expertise, dedication, and care play a vital role in supporting the health and safety of our students and staff each day. Thank you for all that you and your teams do for our District.

The Spring 2026 California Scholarship Federation (CSF) Membership Drive is now open for Mira Costa High School students and will continue through Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Applications are available in the College & Career Center or can be accessed online and printed during the membership window. Eligibility for spring membership is based on Fall 2025 semester grades.

CSF is a statewide academic honors organization that recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement. Membership is determined each semester using a point system outlined in the CSF State By-Laws. To be eligible, students must earn a minimum of 10 CSF points from approved courses and submit an application during each semester they qualify.

Eligibility reminders:

Associate Membership may be granted to second-semester freshmen and first-semester sophomores who meet eligibility requirements; however, associate membership does not count toward Sealbearer (life) membership.

A CSF Sealbearer is a student who earns CSF membership in four of the last six semesters of high school, with at least one semester earned during senior year. Sealbearers receive the CSF Gold Seal on their diploma, the official CSF pin, a Life Member Certificate, and the honor of wearing gold graduation regalia at Mira Costa.

CSF Application Steps:

Applications must be submitted in person by the student, no online or late applications will be accepted. The deadline is Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 3:00 PM. Students who do not meet membership requirements will receive a refund.

Keep up the great work, Costa!

As a reminder, MBUSD is currently gathering community input to inform the annual update to our Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), the District’s three-year framework for setting goals, guiding actions, and aligning resources to support student success and address both state and local priorities.

The LCAP plays an important role in shaping how District resources are used and evaluated over time. Ongoing feedback from families, students, staff, and community members helps ensure our goals and strategies reflect the needs of our school community and support positive outcomes for all students.

We encourage District partners who have not yet participated to take a few moments to share their perspective. The LCAP survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete, all responses are confidential, and the survey will remain open through February 6, 2026.

Please check your inbox for your personalized survey link, as links are unique and cannot be shared. If you are unable to locate your survey email or need assistance, please contact Kate Juge at kjuge@mbusd.org.

Thank you for your continued partnership and for taking the time to support this important work.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Manhattan Beach Middle School community, ASB students far exceeded their food drive goal, collecting an impressive 3,416 non-perishable food items, 68% more than their original target. These donations will support Project: NEEDS, an initiative of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Redondo Beach, helping provide essential resources to those in need.

This effort was made possible through the dedication and leadership of our ASB students, along with the generosity of families and staff who contributed. A special thank you to Mrs. Mackey for supporting and guiding students throughout the drive. We are incredibly proud to see our students supporting others in the community through their service, compassion, and collective effort.

If you’re interested in learning more about the MBMS ASB program and what these students are doing both inside and outside of the classroom, please contact Mrs. Mackey directly.

Manhattan Beach Unified School District is proud to announce the 2026 Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Week, centered around the theme “Skills for Community, Skills for Career.” This theme highlights the powerful connection between social-emotional learning, a sense of belonging, and the real-world skills students need to thrive both in school and beyond.

Throughout SEL Week, students across MBUSD will engage in activities that reinforce essential skills such as collaboration, empathy, communication, self-awareness, and problem-solving. These skills not only strengthen our school communities but also prepare students for future careers and lifelong success.

As part of this celebration, MBUSD is inviting students to participate in the SEL Week Art Contest, which is open to all MBUSD students. Students are encouraged to submit original artwork that reflects this year’s SEL theme. The winning design will be featured on stickers distributed during SEL Week (March 2–6), and the selected student will also receive a prize

Art Contest Details:

We are excited to see SEL Week come to life across our schools this year and look forward to celebrating the skills that strengthen our community and support our students’ future success.

Congratulations to the thirteen MBMS and MCHS students selected for the SCSBOA All–Southern California Honor Bands and Orchestras. Each of the students listed below advanced through a highly competitive audition process and were chosen from an exceptional pool of dedicated and accomplished musicians across Southern California.

This year, nearly 2,000 students from eleven counties auditioned, with only about 30% earning acceptance. Selection for one of these state-level ensembles represents a significant achievement that reflects hard work, perseverance, and musical excellence. 

MBMS ORCHESTRA

MBMS BAND

MCHS ORCHESTRA

MCHS BAND

Congratulations once again to all of our student musicians. Additionally, we would like to recognize the dedicated music educators who support and inspire our students each day: Peter Park (Mira Costa Orchestra), Joel Carlson (Mira Costa Bands), Denise Haslop (Manhattan Beach Middle School Strings), and Matthew Chavez (Manhattan Beach Middle School Bands). Their leadership, expertise, and commitment to excellence play a vital role in preparing students for these prestigious honors and fostering a strong, vibrant music program across MBUSD. We are proud to have you represent MBUSD!

MBUSD invites parents and guardians to attend our second Parent Tech Education Night on Wednesday, February 18, from 6:00–7:00pm in the District Office Board Room.

Join Dr. Kerry Riccio Aguero, Director of Student Services and Jeff Lee, Student Services TOSA for an informative, hands-on session focused on understanding and managing parental controls across Apple and Android devices. The presentation will walk through the different types of parental controls available and provide step-by-step guidance on how to set up these settings effectively.

To get the most out of the session, families are encouraged to bring both their own devices and their child’s devices so staff can provide direct support. To allow for focused discussion and hands-on assistance, this event is intended for parents and guardians only.

If you have questions ahead of the event, please contact Dr. Kerry Riccio Aguero.

The next Superintendent’s Newsletter will be published on January 30. Have a wonderful weekend!

Dr. John Bowes, Superintendent

325 S. Peck Ave.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 318-7345