District staff told the Anaheim Union High School District Board of Trustees that early student counts for the current school year are below the district’s staffing projections and outlined state and federal revenue risks.

The presenter said district projections in November estimated enrollment of about 24,800 students for the year and projected a decline of about 1,300 students from the prior year. On the first day of school the presenter said 24,437 students attended, “about 431 students less than what we projected.” On the second day the presenter said the count was about 24,500, still roughly 340 students below the projection.

On state and federal revenue the presenter summarized that California’s labor market and tax collections are under pressure and that timing changes tied to Los Angeles County tax filings could affect state receipts later in the calendar year. The presentation said the governor signed the state budget on June 27 and that, “by law, we have to have within 45 days…what was enacted” available to the public.

The presenter also reviewed federal dollars that had been withheld and then released: the district’s projected federal award amounts included Title II (supporting effective instruction) $962,000; Title IV (student support and academic enrichment) $581,000; Title III immigrant program $95,000; and Title III English learner program $774,000, a total the presenter said was about $2.4 million. The presenter said that amount represented about 11.7% of the district’s federal revenue ($20.6 million) and roughly 3.88% of the district’s total budget.

The presenter told trustees that the withholding announced June 30 was later released on July 31 and that final official enrollment numbers — which include summer-school attendance — will be available in December. The presenter recommended monitoring revenue developments and noted potential near-term uncertainty around corporate and personal income tax receipts in California.