Chula Vista school board adopts 2025-26 budget, commits to larger near‑term cuts

The Chula Vista Elementary School District Board of Education on June 11 adopted a proposed budget for fiscal year 2025‑26 and passed a resolution directing staff to identify multi‑year budget reductions to preserve the district's required reserve level.

The board approved the budget after trustees debated the size and timing of reductions needed to keep the district's minimum reserve at the state threshold. President Ugarte opened the discussion; interim budget staff summarized revenue and expense projections that show a multiyear structural deficit driven by slowing revenue growth and ongoing cost assumptions. District financial staff told the board projected shortfalls increase in the second and third years of the budget outlook and that current one‑time commitments are being used to cover near‑term deficits.

The board voted 5‑0 to amend staff's proposed minimum reduction target, increasing the amount the district will plan to identify in its near‑term reduction list. Trustee Tolsten made the motion to increase the reductions; Trustee Ram—rez Dom—nguez seconded. After discussion the motion passed unanimously. Superintendent Reyes and Chief Financial Officer Pong described that the district is preparing an August budget workshop to present options and that staff will return with a prioritized list of reductions and timelines.

Trustees pressed staff on the effects of different options on classroom services, noting that roughly 90 percent of district expenditures are personnel costs and that reductions will be difficult. Trustee Tamayo emphasized the district should pursue reductions that minimize classroom impacts and seek one‑time savings where possible; Trustee Dom—nguez Cervantes urged deeper near‑term reductions to avoid steeper cuts later. Board members also discussed the role of revenue recovery programs (attendance recovery) and other mitigations but acknowledged those would not fully close projected gaps.

The board directed staff to prepare a workshop in August that will present scenarios and recommended reductions for consideration. Trustees asked for detail on the assumed cost of salary increases used in budget projections and were told the current draft does not include settled contract increases; any negotiated settlements would increase reduction needs.

The resolution accompanying adoption requires staff to produce a list of proposed reductions that will be included in the district's first interim report. Voting on the budget and the amended resolution was unanimous: 5‑0.