District finance chief reports mixed first‑quarter figures; enrollment and bond proceeds highlighted
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Summary
Finance staff reported that first‑quarter revenue and expenditures are generally down compared with FY25 but noted increases in Medicaid billings and bond proceeds; the district’s adjusted base state funding was affected by state enrollment projections.
District finance staff presented the Humboldt County School District’s first‑quarter budget update at the Oct. 28 board meeting, showing a mix of one‑time and recurring changes across funds.
Mike, the district finance presenter, told trustees that the state’s adjusted base funding is calculated on projected enrollment. For the first quarter the state projected 3,059 students while the district’s actual first‑quarter enrollment reported to the district was 3,087. Mike said the state paid about $175,000 less for the first quarter compared with the same period last fiscal year because of projection methods, but noted year‑to‑date general fund revenue was about $20,000 higher than the prior year.
On expenditures, Mike said salaries were generally down because of position reductions or combinations, while benefits rose due to a PERS increase and health insurance costs. He highlighted several fund shifts: a large reduction in one‑time Chromebook purchases, a drop in grant‑funded instructional coach costs, and a decrease in contracted teletherapy speech costs after the district hired two in‑town speech therapists.
Food service revenue and meals served were down (62,456 meals in FY25 first quarter versus 35,501 year‑to‑date in the current year), but expenditures fell as well. Mike also reviewed cash balances by fund and said the bond initiative balance rose substantially after issuing bonds and drawing on funds for an HVAC project; he said a second phase of the HVAC project is planned this year.
Trustees asked clarifying questions; Mike said he will return quarterly and try to provide FY27 projections next quarter to support upcoming board decisions.
