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District presents projected $31 million in reserves at public hearing; board opens and closes hearing with no public comments
Summary
Chief Business Officer Monique Sova presented the district's projected 2025-26 excess reserves of about $31 million, including $16.25 million set aside for budget stabilization, a required 3% reserve (~$4 million), and roughly $7 million unassigned. The board held and closed the public hearing with no public comment.
Monique Sova, the Washington Unified School District chief business officer, opened the board's required public hearing on June 26 to explain reserves that exceed the district's required minimum and to comply with the California Education Code.
Sova said the district projects roughly $31,000,000 in ending fund balance (described in meeting materials as "excess reserves") for the 2025-26 school year. That total includes a $16,250,000 board‑set aside for budget stabilization, approximately $4,000,000 that represents the statutorily required 3% reserve, and about $7,000,000 in unassigned funds for which the board has not yet determined a specific use. Sova emphasized that the number is a projection and that the district will not know the final amount until the books are closed in September 2026.
Sova said excess reserves typically accumulate from delayed program starts, operational changes that lower spending, or deliberate expense reductions; she described the reserve as the district's "savings account." The board opened the public hearing, solicited comments, heard none and closed the hearing.
Sova and Director of Fiscal Services Billy Duba were on the dais and available for questions; trustees had no substantive questions during the hearing portion. The district will include the public‑hearing record in its files as required and proceed with budget adoption actions on the evening's agenda.
