Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves 45‑day budget revision after staff warn of state and federal revenue risk
Summary
Superintendent August told the board the 45‑day revision incorporates about $5.4 million in primarily one‑time state funds that improve the ending fund balance but do not resolve structural risk; the board approved the revision following public comment calling for greater site‑level transparency.
The Santa Rosa City Schools Board approved the district’s 2025–26 45‑day budget revision at its Aug. 13 meeting after staff outlined state and federal revenue risks and the one‑time nature of recent funding.
Superintendent August and interim CBO Luz Cazares said the district remains exposed to state‑level funding volatility. "When the state has a good year, we have a good year. When the state has a bad year, we have a bad year," August said, explaining why the district must treat new funds conservatively. Staff told the board that the state budget act provides about $5.4 million in one‑time funds that will help the district’s ending fund balance but are not ongoing revenue the district can rely on in future years.
Staff emphasized next steps: the district will close its books and present unaudited actuals and a revised multi‑year projection at the Sept. 2025 meeting. Joel Dontos, executive director of fiscal, and CBO Luz Cazares answered technical questions about the revise and the slides showing funding sources to be added to the budget.
Public comment: Margie Brady Long told the board that the district should "keep cuts as far away from the kids as possible," said many site budgets have already been reduced, and asked for transparent site‑level funding reports and documentation of consolidation savings and tracking. Trustees agreed to provide additional site reporting and transparency in follow‑up materials.
Board action: Trustee Medina moved to approve the 45‑day budget update; Trustee Casten seconded the motion. The board approved the revision on a roll‑call vote.
What changed: Staff described several funding sources detailed in the presentation (slides 9–12) and noted most of the $5,400,000 are one‑time funds. Staff also reiterated that while the new monies help the short‑term ending fund balance they will not meet reserve targets on an ongoing basis.
Follow up: Business Services will prepare a site‑level funding breakdown and a tracking report for proposed consolidation savings; staff will present unaudited actuals and a multi‑year projection at the September board meeting.
Vote details: Motion moved by Trustee Medina, seconded by Trustee Casten; approved by roll call.
