Impassioned pleas from teachers, parents, and community members filled the room at the Plumas Unified School District (PUSD) board meeting on February 11th in Quincy, as the district considered sweeping personnel reductions aimed at addressing a severe financial crisis.
The proposed cuts — affecting certificated, classified, and administrative staff — were presented as part of a Fiscal Stabilization Plan designed to restore the district’s long-term financial health.
A District in Fiscal Crisis
During the meeting, the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) reviewed findings from a Comprehensive Review completed on December 23, 2025. The report confirmed that PUSD faces significant fiscal challenges, including a structural deficit, cash insolvency, and an inability to meet the state-required reserve levels.
Interim Chief Business Official Stephanie Shatto presented the district’s Fiscal Stabilization Plan, explaining that under Assembly Bill 2756 and direction from the County Administrator, PUSD is required to adopt a formal plan outlining ongoing reductions to correct its financial instability. The district’s reduction target is $9.5 million.
Shatto emphasized that the plan was developed with input from staff and community surveys, student surveys, administrative collaboration, and listening sessions held in Portola, Chester, Greenville, and Quincy.
“This is the final version that will be adopted and used as a road map,” Shatto stated. “Decisions made today are hard, but then we won’t have to come back again and again.”
Proposed Reductions
The district outlined extensive personnel reductions projected to save approximately $8 million, with an additional $1.5 million in cuts to be determined following the 2026–27 interim report.
Proposed reductions include:
During public comment, speakers urged the board to prioritize students and seek collaborative solutions that would minimize harm to classrooms. Many warned that increasing class sizes would negatively impact student achievement.
Speakers appealed to board members to “do what research and common sense demand,” emphasizing that schools are the foundation of community strength. Several expressed concern that repeated reductions could permanently alter the character and quality of local schools.
“Students need to thrive in these lean times, not just survive,” one speaker said. Another cautioned, “When you cut, you bleed — and you risk losing the definition of your school.”
Final Decision
Despite community opposition, County Administrator Richard DuVarney approved all proposed cuts.
The district now moves forward with implementing the Fiscal Stabilization Plan, marking a significant and difficult transition for Plumas Unified School District as they attempt to regain financial stability while maintaining educational quality.
The proposed cuts — affecting certificated, classified, and administrative staff — were presented as part of a Fiscal Stabilization Plan designed to restore the district’s long-term financial health.
A District in Fiscal Crisis
During the meeting, the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) reviewed findings from a Comprehensive Review completed on December 23, 2025. The report confirmed that PUSD faces significant fiscal challenges, including a structural deficit, cash insolvency, and an inability to meet the state-required reserve levels.
Interim Chief Business Official Stephanie Shatto presented the district’s Fiscal Stabilization Plan, explaining that under Assembly Bill 2756 and direction from the County Administrator, PUSD is required to adopt a formal plan outlining ongoing reductions to correct its financial instability. The district’s reduction target is $9.5 million.
Shatto emphasized that the plan was developed with input from staff and community surveys, student surveys, administrative collaboration, and listening sessions held in Portola, Chester, Greenville, and Quincy.
“This is the final version that will be adopted and used as a road map,” Shatto stated. “Decisions made today are hard, but then we won’t have to come back again and again.”
Proposed Reductions
The district outlined extensive personnel reductions projected to save approximately $8 million, with an additional $1.5 million in cuts to be determined following the 2026–27 interim report.
Proposed reductions include:
- Elimination of unnecessary vacancies, saving an estimated $1,855,330
- Reduction or discontinuance of 12 full-time teachers and part-time Career Technical Education (CTE) teachers and part-time PE teacher
- Cuts to classified services, including:
- 1 administrative assistant
- 2 attendance clerks
- 1 behavioral health specialist
- 4 bus drivers
- 2 cook managers
- 4 custodians
- 6 library media specialists
- 14 paraprofessionals
- 4 student services coordinators
- Reduction of one principal position at Quincy Elementary, as the district consolidates Pioneer and Alder campuses into a single site
During public comment, speakers urged the board to prioritize students and seek collaborative solutions that would minimize harm to classrooms. Many warned that increasing class sizes would negatively impact student achievement.
Speakers appealed to board members to “do what research and common sense demand,” emphasizing that schools are the foundation of community strength. Several expressed concern that repeated reductions could permanently alter the character and quality of local schools.
“Students need to thrive in these lean times, not just survive,” one speaker said. Another cautioned, “When you cut, you bleed — and you risk losing the definition of your school.”
Final Decision
Despite community opposition, County Administrator Richard DuVarney approved all proposed cuts.
The district now moves forward with implementing the Fiscal Stabilization Plan, marking a significant and difficult transition for Plumas Unified School District as they attempt to regain financial stability while maintaining educational quality.
