District staff recommend "positive" second interim certification as enrollment declines

Lawndale Elementary School District staff presented the 2024–25 second interim budget on March 27 and recommended the board approve a “positive” certification for the current fiscal year and the subsequent two years.

Assistant Superintendent of Business Howard Ho and Director of Budgeting and Accounting Monique Benjamin walked the board through key assumptions: a 1.07% COLA for 2024–25, continuing CalPERS pension increases, statewide special education cost pressures, and declining enrollment the district estimates at about 2.5% year‑over‑year. Benjamin said certified enrollment for the year was 4,324 and staff project enrollment will be about 4,111 in 2026–27.

Ho summarized certification levels and said positive certification “means that the district will be able to meet its financial obligations for the current fiscal year and the subsequent 2 years.” Benjamin presented revenue details (LCFF revenues near $62 million, local revenue increases mainly from interest and facility usage, federal funds including IDEA and Title I) and expenditure assumptions (step/column increases, pension costs, a 1% ongoing salary increase approved in February for certificated staff, and a district contribution to restricted programs).

Benjamin said the district expects deficit spending patterns tied to declining enrollment; a slide in the presentation indicated a deficit of about $7,800,000 in the current year and increasing in the out years under the stated assumptions. Ho said the district will monitor the Governor’s May revise, federal and state developments, the effect of executive orders, and the local economy.

Trustees asked questions about the recent federal executive order and potential impacts on federal funding; Superintendent Castro and staff said state and county offices are monitoring the situation and that guidance is still pending.

Why it matters: Second interim certification signals the district’s short‑term fiscal posture to the public and county office of education. Declining enrollment and pension pressure are national and statewide issues that affect local budgets.

Next steps: The staff recommendation for positive certification was presented to the board; follow‑up work will include monitoring the May revise and attending to local budget adjustments. Monique Benjamin was recognized during the meeting for long service to the district; the presentation was noted as her last to the board before retirement.