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San Rafael City Schools warns of tight finances; board hears preliminary 2025–26 budget
Summary
Deputy Superintendent Bob Marcucci presented a preliminary budget showing constrained revenue, declining ADA in the high school district and a plan to review unaudited actuals this summer; trustees were told reserves are tight and hard choices on staffing may follow.
Deputy Superintendent Bob Marcucci presented San Rafael City Schools’ preliminary budgets for 2025–26 at the June 9 board meeting and told trustees the districts face a constrained fiscal outlook that will require review of unaudited actuals and community engagement this summer.
Marcucci said the May state budget revision funds a 2.3% cost-of-living adjustment and continues funding for universal meals, some TK implementation support, and expanded learning. But he warned that state and federal revenue uncertainty, potential federal cuts to Title III and the mental-health grant, and national economic pressures could reduce future revenue.
Marcucci walked the board through enrollment and average daily attendance (ADA) trends: the elementary district’s enrollment and unduplicated pupil percentage were relatively stable, while the high school district is at or near a peak with a projected slow decline. He said high school ADA fell during the year and that the drop in ADA from adopted budget to estimated actuals translated to roughly $1.6 million less LCFF entitlement for the elementary district.
On reserves and multi-year projections, Marcucci said the elementary district is projecting a 11.9% reserve for 2025–26 but is trending downward; the high school district is “right at the minimum reserves.” He said the districts will exhaust most pandemic-related, one-time funds by the end of 2025–26 and that an internal $600,000 transfer is modeled to smooth the high school district’s runway.
Marcucci said the district will close the books on 2024–25 and produce unaudited actuals before Sept. 15. That figure will determine the district’s beginning balance for 2025–26 and shape decisions on program reductions or staffing: “we're going to have to impact people,” he told trustees, noting personnel costs represent roughly 80% of the budget.
Trustees asked clarifying questions about the timing of decisions and the district confirmed a process to identify funding gaps, pursue reimbursements (Medi-Cal/private insurance) where feasible, and conduct public engagement through the summer and fall. No reductions were adopted at the meeting; staff said they will return with final budgets, LCAP certification and, if needed, staffing notices after unaudited actuals are available.
