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Board hears LCAP, proposed 2025‑26 budget; officials warn multi‑year reserves will decline without changes
Summary
District staff presented the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) draft and the proposed 2025‑26 budget, showing steady revenues but projections that reserves could fall from about $23.5 million this year to roughly $9.1 million by 2027‑28 unless spending adjustments are made.
Tehachapi Unified School District staff presented the draft Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and the proposed 2025‑26 budget at the June 10 board meeting, outlining student outcome metrics and fiscal projections that district business officials called "unsustainable" without future adjustments.
"Total revenue projected for TUSD is about $60.5 million, about $49 million of that is LCFF dollars," Chief Administrator for Instructional Services Andrea Paxton told trustees during the LCAP presentation. Paxton highlighted increases in teacher credentialing and CTE completions while noting some lagging academic metrics.
District Chief Business Officer (CBO) Hojette Antizari (listed in the meeting as Mr. Antizari / Mtozzari) presented the proposed general fund budget and a multi‑year projection. Antizari said the governor's proposed 2.3% COLA and other state changes reduced expected ongoing revenues and that several formerly one‑time funds have expired.
"The ending fund balance goes from $23.5 million in 24‑25 to $9.1 million in 27‑28" under current assumptions, Antizari said. He recommended a positive budget certification for 2025‑26 but warned trustees the district will need to identify ongoing reductions or new revenue to stabilize reserves.
Trustees discussed options. Trustee Paul Napier asked why one‑time pandemic dollars were not saved; Antizari responded that many federal and state one‑time funds had short expiration windows and the district prioritized student services during those years.
Antizari said the county office had contacted the district about the downward trend in reserves and that a qualified certification would require the district to submit a board‑approved plan; absent that, the county could intervene. The district's staff said they would present revised budgets at the regularly scheduled interim reviews and recommended adoption of the 2025‑26 budget at the June 24 meeting.
Why it matters: The LCAP and budget determine programs and staffing in classrooms; trustees must weigh current services against long‑term fiscal sustainability. The district is projecting deficits in later years unless the board and administration make decisions about positions, programs or revenue.
Board response and next steps: Trustees asked staff to continue work on a multi‑year plan and to present specifics to the new superintendent after July 1. The formal budget adoption is scheduled for the June 24 meeting; staff will present interim reports in December and March as required by state reporting timelines.
Ending: District staff urged trustees and the public to expect more detailed proposals in the coming weeks, including potential prioritization of positions and programs to close projected budget gaps.
