Board approves 2024–25 unaudited actuals; district stresses stabilization plan as revenue falls

Palm Springs, Calif. — At its Sept. 9 meeting the Palm Springs Unified School District Board of Education accepted the unaudited actuals for fiscal year 2024–25 and approved multiple resolutions to reconcile appropriations and update administrative compensation.

Jeffrey Simmons (presenting) summarized the unaudited actuals and said the district experienced a revenue drop of roughly $12 million from the prior year but that the district’s stabilization plan limited the year‑end deficit to about $2.7 million. “The stabilization plan is working,” Simmons told the board, explaining that one‑time grant funding used in prior years had been deliberately shifted to bolster reserves during lower‑revenue years.

Key numbers and context: the district reported a combined unrestricted fund balance (including Fund 17) of 22.1% at year‑end. Simmons noted that statewide averages for unified districts and districts over 10,000 students are about 24.3%, so the district remains below the state average but improved versus prior years. He thanked fiscal staff, including Tony Carrillo, and other departments for closing the books.

Board action and resolutions: the board passed a slate of fiscal and personnel items under agenda item 18, including: - Approval of the unaudited actuals for fiscal year 2024–25 (item 18a). Approved by voice vote. - Adoption of multiple reconciliation resolutions to align appropriations with unaudited actuals (items 18b, 18c) and related budget limits (items 18d–18f). Resolution numbers were read into the record by staff as part of the consent/action sequence. - The board also approved amendments to employment agreements for several district executives that included a 1.5% salary schedule increase for certain administrators and a 1.3% increase in health/welfare benefits; the superintendent declined the 1.5% salary increase but accepted the health/welfare increase.

District finance details: the presentation broke down unrestricted versus restricted spending, highlighted the continued predominance of personnel costs (typically 85–89% of unrestricted spending), and noted capital and bond funds being spent down on active projects. Simmons said the district continues to analyze vacant positions and contracts before refilling to maintain fiscal control.

Enrollment and outlook: Simmons reported the district’s fall enrollment decline narrowed compared with earlier estimates (projected decline of about 262 students; more recent counts reduced that shortfall). Transitional kindergarten (TK) and kindergarten enrollments were higher than the prior year, a positive signal for future cohorts.

Board discussion: trustees sought clarity on multiyear projections and the timing of the next official forecast; staff said formal multiyear projections will be presented at first interim for 2025–26. The board approved the financial items by roll call or voice votes as indicated in the meeting minutes.