San Marcos Unified holds public hearings on LCAP annual update and adopted budget; trustees to act June 26

The San Marcos Unified School District on June 12 held public hearings on its Local Control Accountability Plan annual update and the district’s adopted budget for 2025–26. District staff reviewed performance indicators, community survey results and funding assumptions, and described planned actions tied to the district’s four strategic goals.

A staff presenter summarized the LCAP annual review, noting strengths and areas needing improvement. The district reported that English language arts performance for all students was in the green on the state dashboard and that graduation rate remained high at 95.7%. The presenter said survey participation included nearly 3,000 students, about 1,400 parents and guardians, 285 teachers, 26 administrators and 44 noninstructional staff. Staff also flagged continuing achievement gaps for English learners, math performance ranked in the yellow, and chronic absenteeism that remains elevated for African American students, Pacific Islander students and foster youth.

On budgeting, district business staff presented the adopted budget for 2025–26 and the estimated actuals for 2024–25. The district projects total revenues of about $300.9 million for 2025–26 and expenditures of roughly $331.1 million. Under the stated assumptions — 2.3% COLA for LCFF, an enrollment decline of about 200 students and a 94% attendance rate — the presentation showed an unrestricted general‑fund deficit forecast of roughly $13.3 million for 2025–26 and reserves of 9.1% for that year. Staff noted several ongoing pressures, including special‑education local contributions, modest COLAs that lag cost increases, and utility and insurance cost rises.

The business office highlighted state budget items still under negotiation that were not assumed in the adopted numbers: a proposed discretionary block grant (the governor’s initial proposal would have provided about $5.5 million to the district, but the legislature’s competing proposal would reduce that amount) and additional transitional kindergarten funding. The district said it expects the governor to sign the state budget by July 1 and that the board will consider the LCAP and annual budget for adoption at the June 26 meeting. Staff also indicated a 45‑day revision will likely be required in August to reflect final state actions.

Board members and the public asked questions about the LCAP survey methodology, the state dashboard and specific subgroup outcomes. A board member and staff discussed district assistance status for long‑term English learners and summer programs planned to address subgroup needs. Staff said that some restricted grant funds will expire in later years, which will require staffing adjustments in 2026–27 and 2027–28 unless new funding is secured.

The June 12 meeting served as the required public hearing; adoption votes were not taken that night. The board will consider formal adoption of the LCAP update and the 2025–26 budget at its June 26 regular meeting. District staff encouraged community members to submit written comments on the LCAP draft through a Google form posted on the district LCAP web page.