The Central Union High School District reported on Sept. 9 that its unaudited 2024–25 results show a decrease in fund balance and that the district is projecting a structural deficit for the 2025–26 fiscal year. Business Services Director Marcy Mendoza told the board the district ended 2024–25 with an overall fund balance of about $24.49 million and a net decrease of roughly $6.05 million for the year.
Why it matters: the district’s 2025–26 revised budget projects a $13.12 million deficit that would reduce the ending fund balance to about $11.36 million if revenue and expense assumptions hold. That projection—together with declining average daily attendance—drives the district to examine savings and program priorities.
Mendoza summarized the unaudited actuals and the revised budget in a public presentation. She said total revenues for 2024–25 were about $80.44 million and total expenditures about $86.50 million, yielding the roughly $6.05 million decrease in fund balance. For 2025–26 she reported projected revenues of about $80.46 million and projected expenditures of about $93.61 million, giving the $13.12 million projected deficit. Mendoza also noted that personnel costs make up the largest share of the budget—about 75% of expenditures in 2024–25 and rising to an estimated 79% in 2025–26.
The district is funded on attendance; Mendoza said the October 1 enrollment snapshot will determine final funding assumptions. She reported the district’s funded ADA for 2024–25 was about 3,891.45 and projected 2025–26 funded ADA at about 3,803.87, a decline that reduces LCFF funding despite a modest cost-of-living adjustment.
Board and stakeholders reacted: trustees voted to approve the unaudited actuals and the revised 2025–26 budget as presented. In subsequent discussion board members and union representatives urged continued focus on enrollment outreach, program prioritization and competitive procurement to limit cost increases. Mendoza said, “right now, our cash flow is stable,” but emphasized the district must monitor spending and update forecasts at interim reporting points.
Next steps: Mendoza said the external auditors will conduct the formal audit this autumn and that the district will present a first interim report with updated state allocations and October 1 data. The board directed staff to continue reviewing contracts, bids and enrollment outreach, and to return with interim updates.