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San Marino Unified says interdistrict students and TK expansion keep class offerings broad amid capacity shifts
Summary
CBO Stephen Choi and board members discussed enrollment trends, the district’s reliance on interdistrict students (about 30% of enrollment, generating roughly $12 million), and the effects of universal transitional kindergarten (TK) on elementary capacity.
District finance staff told the board that interdistrict students comprise roughly 30% of enrollment and contribute about $12 million to district revenues, a figure staff said pays a large share of nonfixed costs and helps preserve program breadth for resident students.
Chief Business Officer Dr. Stephen Choi said San Marino Unified functions best at about 3,200 students; current enrollment is under 3,100. Interdistrict enrollment supplies revenue that “pays for 40% of our non fixed expenses,” he said, and staff warned that losing those students would force program cuts or school consolidations.
Choi also described the effects of the state’s phasing in of universal TK: the district added six TK sections this year (three at Ballantyne and three at Carver), which has increased elementary enrollment and contributed to elementary capacity pressure. He said the TK add‑on funding has been reduced from earlier proposals and that TK rules change adult‑to‑student ratios (from 12:1 to 10:1), potentially increasing costs.
Board members asked about permit priority, waiting lists, and whether interdistrict permits can be targeted to specific sending districts; staff said seats are limited by grade and the district maintains 2–4 spaces per section for resident students. Choi said interdistrict permits must follow statutory permit types (legacy, employee/fair‑employment transfers, business owner priority, etc.), and nonresident students without underlying residency must generally reapply each year.
No formal policy changes were proposed at the study session; the board discussed enrollment drivers and asked staff to keep enrollment and revenue projections under review.
