Board renews E‑Rate participation and certifies second‑interim budget as positive
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Summary
Trustees approved continued participation in the federal E‑Rate program (covering broadband discounts) and voted to positively certify the district's second interim budget, which projects a multi-year deficit trend but meets state reserve requirements.
The Atascadero Unified School District Board of Trustees on March 18 approved participation in the federal E‑Rate program and adopted a positive certification for the district's 2024–25 second interim budget.
Director of Technology Jeff McCoy explained E‑Rate is a federal program created as part of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 that helps schools and libraries afford internet access. McCoy said the district currently qualifies for a roughly 60% discount based on National School Lunch Program eligibility and rural status. He noted the district's wide-area network and some site connections, including the Creston and Carissa Plains links, were up for renewal and that category‑2 internal network upgrades were among identified projects. "I would like to recommend approval for our district to continue to participate in the E rate program because it's gonna help us deliver that rich content to those students," McCoy told trustees.
Trustees voted to approve item 13.1 (E‑Rate participation) on a roll-call vote with all trustees present voting yes. The same meeting also included a lengthy second‑interim budget presentation from the district finance staff, who said Atascadero is "positively certified" at second interim, meaning the district projects it can meet financial obligations in the current year and over the two subsequent years while noting ongoing structural pressure from special-education costs and reduced projected attendance. The finance presentation showed special education expenditures exceeding revenues and the district's plan to contribute from the general fund; staff recommended using potential one‑time state funds to bolster reserves if those funds materialize.
The board approved the positive certification (resolution 203-324-25) on a roll-call vote; trustees voting yes included Mr. Arnold; Mrs. Ellis White; Mrs. Kosnick; Mrs. Coonley; Mrs. McGrew Keane; Mrs. Pierce; and Mrs. Taylor.
Votes at a glance: agenda approvals, minutes and consent items were adopted by roll-call votes earlier in the meeting; item 13.1 (E‑Rate participation) and item 13.2 (positive certification of second interim budget) were both approved by unanimous roll-call votes among trustees present.
Ending: District staff said they will reapply annually for E‑Rate and will return to the board with any large projects requiring formal approval; the finance team said multi‑year projections will be updated at budget adoption in June.
