San Bernardino County Superintendent’s office previews proposed $483 million 2025–26 budget; public hearing held
Loading...
Summary
Chief business officers presented the proposed 2025–26 County Schools Services Fund budget, projecting roughly $483 million in total resources and an estimated ending fund balance of about $197 million. Board held a public hearing; the budget was not adopted and will return for action next month.
San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools staff presented a proposed 2025–26 County Schools Services Fund budget and held a public hearing on the plan at the board’s May 12 meeting. The presentation described revenue projections, expenditure plans and capital projects; staff said the proposed budget will return to the board in June for formal adoption.
Jessica Hurst, Director of Internal Business, walked the board through the administration’s assumptions and projections. The proposed organizational budget total is approximately $483,000,000. Hurst said unrestricted revenue is projected to increase by just over $7 million from the current year’s estimated actuals, including a $1.6 million LCFF increase and $5.4 million in local revenue tied to increased pass‑through amounts and fees. The restricted revenue side is projected to decrease by roughly $23 million compared with current estimated actuals, mainly because onetime federal COVID allocations have expired and because one‑time local funding for the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) was recognized in the current year.
Staffing and high‑level assumptions: Budget assumptions included a 2% cost‑of‑living adjustment for salaries and for special education program funding, a fully funded positions assumption at the beginning of the fiscal year, a 6% assumed increase in health and welfare costs, and CalPERS/STRS employer rate assumptions in line with the latest public board estimates. Hurst noted the CalPERS projected rate for the coming year had been adjusted slightly to 26.81% after the county office’s draft budget was prepared.
Expenditure highlights: On the unrestricted side, budgeted salaries and benefits are estimated to increase by roughly $6.1 million over estimated actuals; materials and supplies and services/operations show decreases due in part to prior, onetime purchases and increased interprogram reimbursements. On the restricted side, one‑time federal and local funding reductions account for most of an estimated $8.1 million decrease; capital outlay in restricted funds is projected to increase to support HVAC replacement and site improvements at multiple locations.
Ending balances and GAN limit: The estimated ending fund balance for 2024–25 and the proposed 2025–26 budget both are presented at about $197 million total (roughly $51 million unrestricted and $146 million restricted). Hurst reviewed the Gann (spelled GAN in the presentation) limit—California’s statutory revenue limit established after Proposition 4 (1979)—and said the annual resolution and reporting required under Ed. Code will return in September after books are closed and actuals are finalized.
Capital projects and site improvements: Business services identified several facility projects likely to incur significant costs in 2025–26, including a special‑education classroom remodel at Colton High School estimated to exceed $2 million, HVAC replacements at several early‑education centers, and enhancements to controlled entry and key‑control systems at county office sites and some alternative‑education campuses. Staff said security upgrades including badge/fob entry systems are intended to reduce rekeying costs and improve access control.
Board questions and next steps: Board members asked for project lists by year and clarification of line‑items; staff said they will provide a side‑by‑side of prior year projects and the payments anticipated in 2025–26. Several board members urged staff to explore whether Medi‑Cal administrative claiming and other federal revenues could help fund positions such as nurse positions; staff agreed to follow up. Multiple members praised the level of detail in the packet and requested district‑level breakdowns for some grant pass‑throughs such as the CYBHI funds.
Public hearing: The board opened the public hearing on the proposed budget. No one requested to speak on the budget item at the hearing and the board closed the hearing; the proposed budget will be brought back for board adoption next month.
Ending: Staff asked the board to review follow‑up items and said the budget will be updated based on the May revision from the governor and will return for formal adoption in June.
