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Twin Rivers trustees review proposed 2025–26 budget; staff say district remains fiscally balanced amid state uncertainty
Summary
District staff presented the proposed 2025–26 adopted budget, citing a 2.3% statutory COLA and a projected $118 million in LCAP-aligned spending. Staff told trustees the general fund remains balanced for the next two years but warned state-level risks could affect future revenue.
Twin Rivers Unified School District officials on Tuesday presented a proposed 2025–26 adopted budget that staff said keeps the district fiscally balanced for the near term while exposing some risks tied to state and federal uncertainty.
"We are certifying a positive budget, which means that we can afford our finances this year and the next two years," Ryan (Chief Business Officer) told the board during a 90-minute budget presentation. Staff framed the proposal against California’s May Revision and warned that the state had plugged some holes with one-time money.
The budget presentation said the state’s statutory cost-of-living adjustment for special education is 2.3%, producing an estimated ADA increase of $20.62 and placing the special-education revenue-per-ADA at $917.52. Kate Ingersoll, director of fiscal services, said projected special-education expenditures total $101,500,000; state and federal funding account for about $47,800,000 of that, and LCFF-applied funding was cited at $11,100,000, leaving approximately $42,600,000 in unfunded district contribution for special education.
The district projects total revenue growth for 2025–26 of about $8.3 million in the unrestricted general fund, driven largely by LCFF (73% of revenue) and a modest ADA increase associated with TK and site growth. Unrestricted expenditures include placeholders for a 2.5% salary increase and additional staffing tied to transitional kindergarten and new Northlake enrollment.
Staff said the district will spend down certain restricted, one-time funds over the next several years, and that restricted program balances are expected to decline. The proposed ending fund balance was presented as roughly $145 million (unrestricted plus restricted), with economic-uncertainty reserves at 8.32% of expenditures.
Board members asked detailed questions about possible federal funding changes and the impact of national economic factors. Ryan cautioned district exposure is largely to restricted categorical programs if federal funding for specific programs is reduced; he said that any state action that forces the state to cover federal shortfalls could affect Prop. 98 allocations and would be monitored.
On facilities and bond work, staff said the district plans to go to market on Measure J/K series bonds this summer and is coordinating pre-pricing calls with underwriters; the board was directed to a citizens’ bond oversight committee report with project-level updates.
The board will consider adopting the proposed budget at its next meeting; staff said they will return with any updated May Revision or federal developments and highlighted the district’s multi-year projection work to identify any structural implications beyond 2026–27.
Ending note: The proposed budget will return for final action next week; staff emphasized they will continue monitoring state and federal developments that could affect long-term planning.
