Board adopts multi‑year reserve goal as union leaders and staff warn of workload strain

The Santa Rosa City Schools Board of Education on Aug. 27 approved changes proposed by the finance committee to formalize a multi‑year reserve goal and tighten budget policies, while classified staff and parent speakers told trustees the district’s staffing reductions are creating significant operational strain.

Finance committee proposal and vote

Vice President and Trustee Casten, who chairs the finance committee, described months of committee review and recommended updating board policy to set a long‑term reserve target and new rules for one‑time funds and contract approval levels. The board voted in favor of the package after discussion; the roll call recorded unanimous approval.

Trustee Casten said the package does not solve the district’s immediate budget shortfall but establishes multi‑year guardrails. “Our first goal this year is to get to 3%,” he said, noting the board’s eventual aim of a 10% reserve target as a multi‑year goal that would provide greater cash‑flow flexibility. Superintendent August and trustees explained that a 10% reserve would allow the district to better manage short‑term cash needs and reduce borrowing costs, but that achieving that level will take several years.

Budget context raised by staff and community speakers

Mary Lehman, president of the classified employees’ union (CSEA), told trustees that consolidation and staff downsizing have left classified workers overburdened: “Fewer workers are doing more work. The strain is real, and our staff is feeling it,” Lehman said. Lehman also cited figures presented earlier in the school year, saying a 45‑day budget update showed a deficit improved from $10,000,000 to $5,000,000 but that the district remained about $12,000,000 below the state’s required reserve.

Superintendent’s enrollment and attendance update

Interim Superintendent August told the board the district’s preliminary 10‑day physical student count showed a decline of approximately 509 non‑charter students compared with the October 2024 census day. She reported that average daily attendance based on physical counts was roughly 92%, above the district’s projection of 90.5% but below the target of 96% that staff said would help restore instructional minutes and revenue. August said the district will continue reconciling physical counts with enrollment and attendance reporting and that enrollment typically fluctuates throughout the year.

What the policy changes do

Trustee Casten said the new language sets a clear long‑term target for unassigned reserves (a goal of 10%) while recognizing the district’s immediate need to reach the required minimum (3%) first. He and other trustees framed the change as a multi‑year fiscal strategy; superintendent staff said additional implementation details will appear in the district’s fiscal stabilization plans.

Board direction and next steps

Board members directed staff to continue work on a multi‑year fiscal plan and emphasized the need for clearer communications with school and district staff about how cuts or position changes would be implemented. Trustees also asked staff to present data comparing current staffing and organizational structure to pre‑COVID levels, and to keep the community informed about tradeoffs as the district seeks to rebuild reserves.

Community concerns on space and programs

Public commenters called out program and space impacts tied to consolidation and cuts. Parents and teachers described lost storage and classroom space, overcrowded rooms and the loss of popular classes. Several speakers asked trustees to prioritize preserving programs and to be transparent about how budget decisions translate into site‑level impacts.