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Natomas Charter board approves 2024–25 second interim budget with 'positive' certification
Summary
Board members approved the district's second interim budget reporting a positive certification and projected multiyear surpluses; presenters outlined revenue, expenditure and reserve assumptions and flagged a new universal dyslexia screening mandate.
The Natomas Charter School Board of Directors approved the 2024–25 second interim budget and certified the district’s fiscal status as "positive," board members said at the March 10 meeting.
School staff presented the budget summary, saying the report reflects actuals through Jan. 30 and projects that the charter will meet its financial obligations for the current and two subsequent fiscal years. The presentation listed major assumptions, projected revenues and expenditures, and reserves the board has set aside for facilities and program priorities.
The presentation matters because the charter’s authorizer, Natomas Unified School District, reviews these certifications in May and uses the district’s projection to assess fiscal health. "Positive" certification means the charter expects to meet financial obligations for the current and two subsequent years, staff said.
Presenters told the board the second interim shows roughly $26 million in revenues (the presenter used the phrase "over $26 million"), with about 79% coming from the Local Control Funding Formula and an average per-pupil revenue just over $12,000. Major expenditure categories shown were certificated salaries at about $11.3 million (37% of expenditures), employee benefits at about $6.3 million (21%), and classified salaries at about $3.3 million (11%). The presentation also listed federal, state and local grants, lottery funds, and one-time categorical funds included in the 2024–25 figures. Staff said multiyear projections using the governor’s January budget proposal show modest surpluses in the next two years after removing one-time monies.
Staff highlighted a forthcoming state mandate requiring universal dyslexia screening in kindergarten through grade 2; the charter has received an initial $7,000 in professional development funding that may not be used to buy the screener itself, only training, and staff said they are evaluating screening products for possible implementation next year. The presenter cautioned that the district does not yet know how many students will be identified by a universal screener and what interventions will be required.
Board members asked about federal funding risks, lottery revenues, and reserve levels. Staff said federal reimbursements represent roughly 1% of overall revenue and that the state lottery contribution is a small, standard portion of district revenue. The budget presentation emphasized that the board’s reserve commitments — operating reserves and program reserves for facilities and salary-related contingencies — meet the charter’s fiscal policy.
The board approved the second interim budget by roll call vote.
Looking ahead, staff said the district will return with more budget detail at the May revision workshop and asked the board to expect personnel- and compensation-related proposals tied to next year’s budget development.
