District finance chief reports RMA compliance; board discusses prioritization amid rising costs and bond planning

The Galt Joint Union Elementary School District’s Chief Business Official reported that the district has met or exceeded the state-required 3% contribution to its Restricted Maintenance Account (RMA) in recent fiscal years and projects the current year requirement around $2,000,000.

Alejandra Garibay reviewed recent years: for 2020–21 the calculated 3% requirement was roughly $1.3 million and the district made an extra contribution of about $39,000 to meet the requirement after expenditures; for 2021–22 the requirement rose to about $1.4 million and actual expenditures exceeded the 3% threshold (reported at roughly 3.10%); for 2022–23 the required 3% was about $1.6 million and actuals were about 3.06%; and for 2023–24 the required 3% was about $1.7 million and reported actuals were higher (approximately 3.3%). Garibay said some planned projects were delayed into the next fiscal year and that the district’s projection for the current year is $2,000,000 (a required 3% baseline of about 1.8% of expenditures) with a current percentage of 3.18.

Trustees asked whether the 3% baseline results in forgone work and how rising costs and a forthcoming bond should affect the district’s approach. Garibay said safety-related maintenance is prioritized and the 3% functions as a baseline for annual and cyclic upkeep (flooring, HVAC, painting, playground and fencing repairs), while larger projects remain candidates for bond funding. Another board member noted the district maintains a five‑year plan and that annual work is typically targeted site-by-site so the bond can be preserved for major capital projects.

No formal board action was required; trustees requested continued updates and a spring planning session to review facilities needs and coordinate the RMA with bond planning.