Superintendent Linda De La Torre told the San Marino Unified School District board on Nov. 18 that the district has received several unanticipated city charges that together create a significant hit to one‑time reserves.

The superintendent said the bills include a $50,000 sewer invoice the district believes may not apply to public schools, a $150,000 reallocation of Proposition A funds from transportation to crossing guards, and an expected loss of a city trash subsidy of roughly $150,000; the district also received a $1,600 homecoming parade fee that was later waived by the city. De La Torre said the combined effect of these items represents about $300,000 in unbudgeted expenses that will likely be covered from reserve funds.

Why it matters: the superintendent warned that one‑time reserves are finite and that repeatedly tapping them for recurring costs could jeopardize future capital work and ongoing services. De La Torre said the district relies heavily on local revenue and is one of the lower‑funded districts in the state, and that these new costs could force cuts to nonessential services or shifts in program funding if they recur.

"This invoice said that it must be paid by November 20," De La Torre told the board, summarizing the immediate timeline and adding that the city manager said he was not at liberty to extend the deadline. The superintendent said the district has requested additional time to consult counsel and explore whether the fee is legally applicable to a public school jurisdiction.

Board members asked how the expense might affect students and programming. De La Torre said the district already tapped reserves to cover this year’s transportation costs and that, in prior years, families have been asked to cover busing for some events when district funding was insufficient. Trustee questions highlighted concern that repeated, unanticipated local fees could force the district to prioritize urgent operational needs over long‑term facility and program investments.

De La Torre also told the board she received an itemized invoice from the registrar/recorder’s office related to the district’s parcel‑tax renewal campaign — an amount she described as approximately $668,000 — and said she is continuing to seek clarification on specific charges in that larger bill.

Next steps: the superintendent said staff will continue reviewing invoices, consult legal counsel, pursue any available appeals or adjustments, and report back to the board. The board discussed coordinating with city governance to improve notice and collaboration on fees affecting the district.

Proper names: San Marino Unified School District; CJ Nolan (Measure M program staff) and city manager Escandar were mentioned in the context of intergovernmental discussions.

Ending: The board heard the report and did not take immediate formal action on these invoices; staff will return with findings and recommended next steps.