Sac City Unified Appeals County Rejection of $158M Solvency Plan, Fights to Keep Local Control

Sacramento City Unified School District is at a crossroads. The county office of education rejected the district’s $158 million solvency plan on July 31, and now the school board is meeting Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. to appeal that decision to the state superintendent. The plan includes a hiring freeze, proposed cuts, and a new teacher contract through June 2030, which the district says would unlock $97 million in funding from retiree health accounts, Medi-Cal, and vacancy savings.

The county’s financial advisor says the plan relies on borrowed money that must be repaid with lost interest, raising long-term costs and limiting flexibility. County Superintendent Dave Gordon put it bluntly, noting many of the proposed funds are not new moneys. Teachers union president Nikki Davis-Milevsky also weighed in, expressing frustration that outside experts have not delivered real solutions after eight months.

The stakes are high. A failed appeal could lead to a state receivership, which would shift decision-making away from local leaders. That affects thousands of students, teachers, and families. What do you think is the right move for Sac City Unified: accept the county’s oversight or keep fighting for a locally driven plan? Let us know in the comments.