The Morongo Unified School District Board of Education held a study session on Tuesday to review findings from a comprehensive Budget Stabilization Review conducted with School Leaders, the educational consulting firm that is currently working with both the MUSD Enrollment Committee and the District to examine systems and operations across the Morongo Unified School District.
The presentation focused on aligning district resources with student achievement while preparing for long-term financial sustainability amid rising costs and declining enrollment.
“This work is about making sure every dollar and every system is aligned to student achievement,” said Joe Dixon of School Leaders. “Action does not need to be taken immediately, but a plan needs to be put in place so that over the next two to three years the district remains fiscally solvent.”
The review identified several areas where adjustments may be considered over time. In human resources, consultants discussed aligning staffing levels with enrollment trends, including shifting positions to better support middle school needs and exploring a potential early retirement incentive program. Technology recommendations included establishing a long-term replacement schedule and ensuring consistent budgeting for infrastructure upgrades.
The main three recommendations that School Leaders recommend that the District focus on is facilities optimization, improving student attendance and strengthening MTSS.
In facilities optimization, School Leaders noted that MUSD maintains 17 campuses with approximately 52 percent utilization creating significant fixed costs that cannot be addressed through staffing adjustments alone. An enrollment committee is currently reviewing options including consolidation, repurposing, leasing or potential sale of surplus property. School Leaders and District Officials emphasized that those conversations will take place with the enrollment committee and the Board of Education and is a separate process from the budget stabilization review.
The second key strategy is improving student attendance. Because state funding is tied to average daily attendance, even small increases can generate significant revenue. The review found that each one percent increase in attendance district-wide could generate approximately $880,000 in additional funding. The district is exploring a more structured attendance recovery system, including expanded support services, individualized plans for students with chronic absenteeism and additional options such as short-term independent study to help keep students engaged.
The third strategy focuses on strengthening the Multi-Tiered System of Supports, or MTSS, to better serve students. The district’s current special education identification rate is higher than state averages, and the review found that stronger early intervention systems could reduce unnecessary referrals over time. By improving general education supports and intervention systems, the district may be able to lower costs while ensuring students receive appropriate services.
Superintendent Dr. Patricio Vargas emphasized that the district’s approach will remain centered on students throughout the process.
“Our priority is to protect the quality of education for every student while being responsible stewards of public resources,” he said. “This review gives us the opportunity to plan thoughtfully, engage our community and make decisions that support both student success and the long-term stability of the district.”
Over the coming year, the Board of Education and district leadership will focus on developing a detailed roadmap to guide next steps, using the findings from the review to evaluate options, engage stakeholders and prioritize actions. This planning process will allow the district to carefully assess what changes are needed, when they should occur and how to implement them in a way that maintains educational quality while ensuring long-term financial stability.