Dear MBUSD Parents and Community,

I hope this message finds you well. This week, we’re excited to share highlights from across MBUSD, along with a budget update, and an important message regarding a second antisemitic incident at Mira Costa High School. With that, here’s an overview of what is featured in this week’s newsletter:

In the May 4 Superintendent’s Newsletter, MBUSD shared that an antisemitic symbol had been discovered in a student restroom at Mira Costa High School. We want to provide a follow-up update regarding that incident, as well as inform our community that a second swastika drawing was later identified in the same boys' restroom stall on May 8.

Following the initial incident, the Mira Costa administrative team, with District support, conducted a thorough review of available surveillance footage and investigative information. Unfortunately, staff were unable to determine a definitive timeframe for when the initial vandalism occurred and have not yet been able to identify the individual(s) responsible.

On May 8, Mira Costa administration was alerted through an anonymous student report that another swastika had been drawn in the same restroom stall. Staff responded immediately, filed a police report, and removed the offensive graffiti.

Because staff had been monitoring the area more frequently following the first incident, there is a significantly smaller window of time in which the second act could have occurred. Mira Costa administration and campus security continue actively reviewing footage and interviewing students who entered the restroom during the identified timeframe. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken should those involved be identified.

MBUSD recognizes the pain and concern incidents like these cause, particularly within our Jewish community. Antisemitism and hate in any form are taken extremely seriously and stand in direct opposition to the values of safety, belonging, and respect that the District is committed to upholding across all campuses.

We appreciate the continued partnership and support of our students, staff, families, and community as we work through these situations together.

On Wednesday, May 14, Governor Newsom released the 2026-27 May Revision, commonly referred to as the “May Revise.” As a reminder to our community, the May Revision serves as an updated proposal to the Governor’s January budget and reflects revised state revenue projections, updated economic conditions, and the Governor’s priorities. It is important to note that the May Revision marks a milestone in the negotiations process, and there will still be ongoing discussion and the potential for significant changes to the Governor’s latest proposals. School districts will not have a finalized budget picture until the Legislature approves a State Budget Bill reflecting the outcome of these discussions, and that budget is signed by the Governor. The Legislature’s deadline for the Budget Bill is June 15, and the Governor’s deadline to sign the bill is June 30.

As a result, staffing decisions based on new revenue assumptions cannot be made until the State budget process is finalized.

The May Revision includes several proposals that, if approved in the final State Budget, could positively impact MBUSD’s financial outlook for the 2026-27 fiscal year. Most notably, the Governor is recommending a “super COLA” that would increase the COLA above the statutory COLA of 2.87% to an increased percentage of 4.31%. If enacted, this would represent an ongoing increase to the District’s LCFF funding, providing some long-term relief. However, it is important to note that the Governor is proposing that part of this increased COLA would be used to provide for a new mandatory 14 weeks of paid pregnancy leave. Additionally, the COLA increase will be offset by declining enrollment, if that occurs, and the percentage may change depending on the Legislature’s response to this proposal. 

The Governor has also proposed to increase the AB 602 Special Education grant base rate; his January proposal included an increase to the statewide funding rate to $999 per ADA; he is now proposing to increase it to approximately $1,340 per ADA.  If enacted, this increase, too, would be an ongoing increase.

Additionally, the May Revision proposes increasing the Student Support and Professional Development Discretionary Block Grant from $2.8 billion to $5 billion statewide. These one-time funds are intended to help local educational agencies address rising costs while supporting priorities such as teacher professional development, recruitment and retention efforts, and expanded student support services. While the Governor continues to propose to distribute these funds on a per ADA basis, there continues to be some legislative interest in distributing the funds on a different basis, including based on the number of students in each district’s Unduplicated Pupil Percentage (based on poverty levels, English Learner counts, and foster youth counts). 

At the same time, the May Revision also includes proposals that continue to create concern for school districts statewide. Most significantly, the Governor continues to propose withholding a portion of Proposition 98 funding, the constitutional funding guarantee that supports California public schools. While the proposed withholding was reduced from approximately $5.6 billion in the January proposal to approximately $3.9 billion in the May Revision (and depositing $1.6 billion into the Proposition 98 Rainy Day Fund), education organizations across the state, including the California School Boards Association (CSBA), the California Teachers Association (CTA), the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), and the California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO), continue to oppose any deferral or withholding of this constitutionally required funding. 

The Governor’s budget continues to rely heavily on one-time funding solutions that provide limited long-term stability for school districts as they plan for future student programming, staffing, and operational needs.

Ultimately, while these proposals provide some cause for optimism and could meaningfully improve the District’s financial landscape for the upcoming fiscal year, MBUSD must continue proceeding cautiously and conservatively until the State adopts a final budget in June.

As part of that careful approach, the District is currently planning to move forward with a 4% REU for the next three years, rather than the previously projected 5%. This reduced reserve leaves a limited amount of funding for unanticipated circumstances but also allows the District to use some funding to mitigate staffing reductions. The District’s recently approved Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (“Golden Handshake”) also resulted in savings that will be applied to additional staffing. Should the May Revision proposals ultimately be approved and included in the final State Budget, these additional revenues will also be accounted for and used to rescind Reduction in Force (RIF) notices and provide additional staffing in order to reduce class sizes and ensure positive experiences for students, both of which remain shared priorities of the Board of Trustees, District leadership, and our educational partners.

As always, layoff notices are not final determinations. Where and when possible, even after “final” layoff notices are issued, layoffs may be rescinded as the District’s financial picture becomes clearer and as staffing adjustments, such as resignations, retirements, or additional funding, are finalized.

We remain committed to maintaining a transparent and thoughtful process with our staff and community while continuing to balance fiscal responsibility, legal obligations, and strong educational programming for our students.

For more information on the District’s budget, California’s school funding requirements, and the significant challenges MBUSD faces due to comparatively low funding levels, we encourage you to visit the Budget Corner page on our website.

Students at Manhattan Beach Preschool are enjoying a newly installed playground structure designed to support movement, imagination, and early childhood development. Partially funded by the MB Preschool Parent Association, the new space encourages students to build gross motor skills, confidence, cooperation, and problem-solving abilities through hands-on play experiences. Preschool staff have already observed positive impacts both on the playground and in the classroom, as students return from outdoor play more focused, engaged, and ready to learn. The playground reflects the preschool’s continued commitment to supporting the whole child through joyful, developmentally rich learning opportunities. Thank you to Jackie O’ Sullivan, Director of Early Learning, for contributing this story.

This week, we are excited to feature Angie Olmos, Office Specialist at Pacific Elementary School, in our Staff Spotlight series! Angie has served in a variety of roles throughout Manhattan Beach Unified School District since first joining the District in 2017 after volunteering at Pacific while her twin daughters attended the school. Today, she helps keep Pacific running smoothly by managing campus logistics, supporting staff and students, and stepping in wherever needed. With a professional background in finance and accounting, Angie discovered a passion for education through her work in MBUSD. She shared that her favorite part of the job is getting to know students and watching them grow over the years. Outside of work, Angie enjoys skiing and cheering on her daughters at their sporting events. This year, her twin girls will graduate from Manhattan Beach Middle School and head to Mira Costa High School in the fall.

As the close of summer school registration approaches, MBX encourages families considering summer learning opportunities to explore MBX Summer School. Every dollar earned through MBX Summer School is reinvested directly back into MBUSD schools, supporting students both inside and outside the classroom. In just the past two years, MBX has funded major campus improvements and student supports, including a new Waller Stadium scoreboard, an Aquatics scoreboard/timer, auditorium lighting upgrades, and semi-annual maintenance for all Mira Costa High School turf fields. MBX has also provided grants to every MBUSD elementary school, MBMS, and the preschool. By enrolling in MBX Summer School, students benefit from enriching and engaging summer coursework while also supporting continued investment across MBUSD campuses.

At the Wednesday, May 13 Board meeting, MBUSD proudly recognized this year’s PTA Presidents and Executive Vice Presidents for their outstanding service and dedication to our school communities. Board Vice President Jen Dohner opened the recognition by acknowledging the tremendous impact these volunteers have across MBUSD, alongside Manhattan Beach PTA Council Presidents Jennifer Gale and Andrea Barker. Thank you to all of our PTA/PTSA leaders and volunteers for the countless ways you support our students, staff, and schools each and every day.

Congratulations to Mira Costa High School junior Hugh Saetia, who won first place in the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for California’s 36th District with his piece Denial, which will now be displayed in the United States Capitol for one year. Hugh will travel to Washington, D.C. this summer to be formally recognized for the achievement. In addition to winning the Congressional Art Competition, Hugh also recently won the Rotary Pageant of the Arts and is the founder of Eternal Canvas, a nonprofit organization that creates complimentary hand-painted portraits for grieving families. We congratulate Hugh on these extraordinary accomplishments and look forward to seeing his continued impact through both his art and service to others.

Thank you to everyone who participated in MBUSD’s International Day celebration, sponsored by MBEF, on Friday, May 8. Approximately 300 attendees gathered to celebrate 20 represented cultures through music, activities, food, and community connection. A special thank you to the Mira Costa High School Chamber Orchestra and Jazz Combos, led by Peter Park, for their outstanding performances, as well as to the many staff members, parent leaders, and volunteers who helped make the event such a meaningful and memorable evening for our community. 

The Mira Costa High School Orchestras, under the direction of Peter Park, alongside special guest ensembles from the Manhattan Beach Middle School Orchestras, directed by Denise Haslop, will perform at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 8:00 PM. The concert will feature renowned orchestral works alongside the world premiere of a newly commissioned composition by Los Angeles-based composer Jonathan Beard. Tickets go on sale today! We hope you will join us for this extraordinary evening and share in the pride of witnessing our exceptional student musicians perform on one of the most prestigious concert stages in the world.

The next Superintendent’s Newsletter will be published on May 26. Let’s have a great week!

Dr. John Bowes, Superintendent

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