MUSD meeting Tuesday (8/25) to review report from Enrollment Committee

Jef Harmatz Jef Harmatz Send an email August 24, 2026

The Morongo Unified School District Board of Trustees is holding a study session to review a report from their enrollment committee. 

The Morongo Unified School District’s (MUSD) Enrollment Committee was made up of parents, district employees, teacher and business representatives, and other community members who were charged with the task of assessing declining enrollment numbers across the district. School enrollment numbers have declined from approximately 10,000 students at the pre-pandemic peak to around 7,300 for the 2025-2026 school year, with a projected continued drop over the next three years.

MUSD had considered closing up to four schools in the face of declining enrollment. That proposal proved unpopular with parents, who kicked up a storm at Enrollment Committee and District Board of Trustee meetings. 

Enrollment Committee shares singular recommendation with MUSD Board: “school closures should be a last resort”

The Enrollment Committee recommended that the district keep all schools open. Their decision was presented to the district on June 9. The Enrollment Committee was made up of parents, district employees, teacher and business representatives, and other community members who were charged with the task back in December of 2025. The monthly meetings held discussions and work sessions on different scenarios that the MUSD Board of Trustees would consider on the Enrollment Committee’s recommendation.

At a Study Session on Tuesday morning (August 25), the MUSD Board of Trustees will consider enrollment issues. The agenda lists a “review of enrollment committee report” and another issue related to enrollment issues. There will be time for comments from the public. 

A representative from MUSD said that the Board will review the report in light of 2026-2027 school year enrollment numbers. They said “The study session will provide an opportunity for Board members to better understand the information presented, ask questions and discuss the enrollment and attendance trends affecting the District.”

The Morongo Unified School District Board of Trustees meets for a study session Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Joshua Tree Professional Development Center at 6061 Sunburst Street in Joshua Tree

Jef Harmatz Jef Harmatz Send an email August 24, 2026
Jef Harmatz

Jef Harmatz

Jef Harmatz is the co-host of Z107.7’s “Morning Show with Cody and Jef” and Z107.7’s News Director. He has worked as a journalist, cartoonist, chef, and delivery driver. He is known nationally for his writing and comics in publications like TimeOut, Popula, Roadtrippers, Solrad and Spiralbound, and for his album covers for Third Eye Blind and Sir Sly. He is known locally for his pop-up barbecue restaurant Hot Dog Panic. He remains unknown in the field of beekeeping, because he is too afraid of being stung to try it. When not on the radio, he draws comics and self-publishes little books. He lives with his partner and his dog Sunday in Yucca Valley, where he cooks them both elaborate meals.