<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1qp5wq_1GvS4BcB00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1qp5wq_1GvS4BcB00" width="1600" height="800" ><figcaption>Chester High School football team members show their support for Grady Oswold, their teammate honored at the October meeting of the Plumas Unified School District board. Photos by Lori Simpson</figcaption></figure>The agenda for the Oct. 14 Plumas County Office of Education and Plumas Unified School District October board meeting in Chester included the unaudited actual reports for both organizations, as well as finalizing the closing process for the 2025-26 fiscal year. A parcel of land in Portola was finalized for sale, and a parent raised concerns about the lack of a permanent fifth grade teacher at Chester Elementary. Fiscal year-end reportsJordan Blanton, chief business official, presented the 2025/26 unaudited actual reports for PCOE and PUSD, closing of the financial books for previous fiscal and school year. Final audits for 2025-26 will be completed by a third party in January, she said. Meanwhile, the first interim report for the current year, covering July 1 to Oct 31, 2026 is expected in December, said Blanton.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=13273J_1GvS4BcB00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=13273J_1GvS4BcB00" width="1600" height="1280" ><figcaption>Jordan Blanton, chief business official, delivers her presentation.</figcaption></figure>She thanked the business office staff, who, she said, checked every piece of the PUSD and PCOE finances looking for any variance during a three-month process.Blanton also reported good news: Both the PUSD and PCOE unaudited actuals showed an increase in revenues. In the PCOE budget, there was an increase to the fund balance of $300,000. The PCOE budget showed a $6.3 million in revenues and $6.1 million in expenditures, leaving a surplus. The PUSD unaudited actuals showed that the local property tax revenue, which is usually projected at a 2% growth rate, came in higher at 2.8%, adding $737,292 in cash to the district fund balance. Expenditures decreased because of unfilled staffing affecting classified salaries and benefits. There was a decrease in expenditures in books and supplies as well, said Blanton. Past changes to the California State Teachers’ Retirement System retirement formula also resulted in an increase in fund balance. PUSD financialsTotal Revenue Est.$37,289,629Total Revenue Actual$39,998,974Revenue Variance$737,292 (+2.0%)Total Expenditure Est.$37,263,246 Total Expenditure Actual$38,000,538Expenditure Variance$737,292 (+2.0%)Two vacant board seatsPCOE Superintendent Andrea White gave an update on the process for filling two vacant board seats in district 1, serving the Portola area and district 3, serving Chester. “These vacancies will be appointed by the current board at the January meeting in Quincy,” said White. Interviews of the applicants will be conducted in a public session, with board members then convening to a closed session to discuss and make decisions. The appointed board members will have to run in the 2028 election to retain their board seats.It is important to have the board seats filled, White said. The PCOE board members will eventually resume serving as the PUSD board as well, once the district has met certain progress thresholds. Candidates must be at least 18, and reside within the district they will represent. Appointed board members must complete important training on fiscal and budgetary issues, the Brown Act and mastering governance as a requirement for the position. Interested people can contact the district office at 530-283-6500 to learn more.Other businessReal Estate sale advancesWhite presented PCOE resolution 2627-03, which authorizes an offer and the public sale of 0.220 acres of vacant land property located at the intersection of 3rd &amp; Pacific streets in Portola.Chelsea Harrison, JoDee Johnson and Matthew DeLaMontanya, the PCOE board members in attendance, approved the resolution. Board members Cindy Crim and Joleen Cline were absent. The bid hearing process will take place Nov. 18 at the board meeting in Greenville. Written proposals will be considered, and any qualifying oral bids will be handled in accordance with applicable law. The results of the bid hearing will be presented to the Board for final consideration in accordance with the adopted resolution.New special education busBlanton presented a request and action item on the PUSD agenda for approval to purchase a special education wheelchair-accessible bus that holds 20 people. Currently, PUSD provides bus service only for special education students.The district needs a larger bus than it currently has, she said. The cost of a new bus was quoted at $147,326.06, to be funded by the revenue from the school buses sold over the summer.State appointed administrator Richard DuVarney approved the request. Lost Sierra Food Project continues work with schoolsVanessa Vasquez, executive director of the Lost Sierra Food Project in Quincy, gave a short presentation on the farm’s educational programming, including field trips, taste tests of locally grown produce and high school interns hired to work on the local farm. The farm provides fresh produce for the school culinary programs and to the school kitchens when possible. Quincy, Greenville and Portola schools have participated in the farm’s educational programming. Vasquez said she hopes to expand the program to the Chester schools in the future. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2mygic_1GvS4BcB00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2mygic_1GvS4BcB00" width="1600" height="1600" ><figcaption>Katelyn Anderson, parent of a Chester fifth grade student, discusses her concerns.</figcaption></figure>Public inputOnly one person spoke at public input at the PUSD board meeting. Parent Katelyn Anderson addressed the ongoing concern over the lack of a permanent fifth grade teacher at Chester Elementary School, where her child attends school. She said the long-time substitute teacher was scheduled to leave Oct. 30. As far as she and other parents know, there were no applicants. She cited a lack of communication with the principal, human resources and the administration that has eroded trust.Anderson asked for three questions to be addressed: <ol><li>What is the actual plan after Oct. 30th and who is responsible? </li><li>What staffing alternatives have been looked at and explored? </li><li>When will we (parents) receive a clear update about filling the vacant position?</li></ol>Honoring Chester students Two students and one teacher were honored during the principal’s recognition awards.Chester Elementary principal Jamie Phillips selected Emma Patatuchi for recognition. Phillips said that Emma is a stellar student. She is kind, hardworking, helpful, has a positive attitude and puts care into her academic work. Ty Watkins, Chester Jr./Sr. High School’s principal, presented the recognition award to senior Grady Oswold. Grady is humble and respectful, Watkins said. He helps create a positive school culture with student involvement. He steps in and helps as needed and has achieved academic excellence. He is a member of the student body, captain and quarterback for the varsity football team. The varsity team attended the recognition ceremony in support of Grady.Watkins also recognized English and advanced placement psychology teacher Jenn Lepage. Lepage brings a wealth of teaching experience and enthusiasm, he said. She is compassionate, professional, and challenges students to think deeply and communicate effectively. She serves as a seventh grade advisor and conducts drama and performing arts classes as well. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=40qoDT_1GvS4BcB00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=40qoDT_1GvS4BcB00" width="1200" height="1600" ><figcaption>Left to right, Jamie Phillips, principal at Chester Elementary, sixth grader Emma Patatuchi and her mother Jordan Patatuchi.</figcaption></figure>The next PCOE-PUSD board meeting will be held at Greenville Elementary school on Wednesday Nov. 18 beginning at 4:30 p.m.</div></body>

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The agenda for the Oct. 14 Plumas County Office of Education and Plumas Unified School District October board meeting in Chester included the unaudited actual reports for both organizations, as well as finalizing the closing process for the 2025-26 fiscal year. A parcel of land in Portola was finalized for sale, and a parent raised concerns about the lack of a permanent fifth grade teacher at Chester Elementary.

PUSD reports 2025-26 financial status

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The agenda for the Oct. 14 Plumas County Office of Education and Plumas Unified School District October board meeting in Chester included the unaudited act

PUSD reports 2025-26 financial status

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