El Segundo Unified School District trustees on Sept. 9 heard a presentation of the district's unaudited actuals for the 2024–25 fiscal year and approved that report along with several routine items including a calendar change and committee appointments.

The district's unaudited actuals were presented by Dr. Linz, a district staff member, who told trustees the unrestricted general fund showed a ‘‘positive swing’’ driven by two main factors: an interest payment from the county and improved third-quarter attendance, plus lower expenditures as certain one-time restricted funds were spent down. ‘‘As Dr. Johnson likes to say, 80% of our budget eats and sleeps. The most important asset that we have in this district are our people, and rightfully so, that's where predominantly our budget goes,’’ Dr. Linz said.

The nut of the presentation: the district closed the year with better-than-expected unrestricted fund results but will complete a formal external audit in January. Dr. Linz told the board that the external auditors will present a final audit in January and that the district will present its first interim report for 2025–26 in December.

Board action and votes
The board approved the unaudited actuals report (action item 7b) by a 4–0 vote. Trustees also passed a consent agenda (items 5a–e) that included personnel matters and five teacher column advancements, approved changing a scheduled board meeting from Sept. 23 to Sept. 30 (action item 6a), appointed Kathy Wiley to the final seat on the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee (action item 7a), certified the district met the state Gann limit for 2024–25 and anticipates meeting it for 2025–26 (action item 7c), and approved appointments to the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) Community Advisory Committee (action item 8a). Each motion passed unanimously, 4–0.

Fundraising and curriculum support
Krista Caban, representing the district's education foundation, reported the foundation's fall appeal and community fundraising plans. ‘‘Chevron will match everything up to a $100,000 until October 1,’’ Caban said. She said the foundation is asking for $800 per child this year to help cover rising curriculum costs and listed payment options of about $67 per month or $200 per quarter. Caban also promoted upcoming foundation events including a Skechers Walk on Oct. 19, a ‘‘Ladies Night Out’’ fundraiser on Nov. 20 and a revised Winter Wonderland on Dec. 13.

Public comment and student report
In public comment, Melissa McCafferty congratulated the El Segundo High School softball team on an improved season and credited community volunteer leaders for helping the program. ‘‘So it was a huge accomplishment,’’ McCafferty said, referencing the team’s tournament and CIF results. Student body president Maddie Palka reported on a busy start to the school year at El Segundo High School, including themed school events, float-building for homecoming and a college-and-career day scheduled for Oct. 23.

Other board business and next steps
Board members used their reports to recap recent school and community events, including ribbon-cuttings, PTA meetings and athletic events. Dr. Linz said the district will return with a December first-interim budget report and that external auditors will complete the 2024–25 audit in January.

Votes at a glance: passed items referenced in the meeting
- Consent agenda (items 5a–e, including five teacher column advancements): passed 4–0.
- Action 6a (change of board calendar from Sept. 23 to Sept. 30): passed 4–0.
- Action 7a (appointment of Kathy Wiley to Citizens Bond Oversight Committee): passed 4–0.
- Action 7b (approval of unaudited actuals fiscal year 2024–25): passed 4–0.
- Action 7c (certification of meeting the Gann limit for 2024–25 and anticipated compliance for 2025–26): passed 4–0.
- Action 8a (appointments to SELPA Community Advisory Committee — Kim Dwyer and Cammie Rodin): passed 4–0.

The board adjourned at approximately 6:32 p.m.; trustees will receive the external audit presentation in January and a first interim report for 2025–26 in December.