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Chief business officer outlines governor's 2025‑26 budget proposal and implications for district
Summary
Chief Business Officer Nathan Hernandez summarized the governor’s initial 2025–26 budget proposal, highlighting a projected 2.43% COLA for LCFF, continued TK expansion, and new one‑time student support funds; he cautioned that May and June budget actions could change final allocations.
Visalia Unified’s chief business officer briefed the board on the governor’s initial 2025–26 budget proposal on Feb. 11 and described implications for district revenues and planning.
Nut graf: The district presented the governor’s initial budget framework — including a 2.43% cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for LCFF, expanded transitional kindergarten implementation and new one‑time student support funds — and cautioned that the May revision and final June budget will determine actual allocations.
Nathan Hernandez, chief business officer, highlighted the budget’s main points as presented by the governor’s office and school‑finance analysts: - Proposition 98 funding framework remains the basis for K–14 education funding; the governor’s proposal anticipates a state reserve and a projected multi‑billion‑dollar surplus, but staff cautioned about economic uncertainties and wildfire‑related impacts that could affect final figures. - COLA: a proposed 2.43% cost‑of‑living adjustment for LCFF and categorical programs. - Transitional kindergarten: the final implementation year for TK expansion; adjustments to class size and staffing ratios were referenced. - One‑time funds: a new “student supports and professional development” one‑time allocation (approximately $1.8 billion statewide in the proposal) and a smaller learning recovery block grant; the proposal also contemplates changes to ELOP funding thresholds.
Hernandez emphasized caution in planning: aside from COLA, districts were warned not to assume one‑time allocations until the May revision or the June budget enactment. He said Visalia Unified will present a revised budget update after the governor’s May revision and again when the legislature adopts a final budget.
Ending: Hernandez summarized next steps and calendar items for the district’s budget work and said staff will return with updated projections in May and a proposed district budget in June after the state’s final actions.
