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Board hears 'high‑risk' 2025–26 budget as it approves several vendor agreements and bond steps
Summary
Assistant Superintendent Rick Champion told trustees the 2025–26 budget faces state and federal shortfalls, declining enrollment and expiring one‑time funds. The board approved vendor agreements (food, CTE equipment), an Anatomage cadaver table purchase with restricted grant funds, and a bond tax‑rate resolution to place Measure H Series A on the tax roll.
At its June 12 meeting, the Brea Olinda Unified School District board received a detailed presentation on the 2025–26 budget from Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Rick Champion, who described the coming year as "high risk" because of state general‑fund shortfalls, a reduced 2.3% COLA, declining enrollment and the end of one‑time COVID federal funding.
Champion summarized key assumptions: a three‑year average ADA of roughly 5,593, projected district entitlement under LCFF near $70.1 million, all‑funds projected revenue of approximately $96.4 million and projected expenditures near $99.7 million (a deficit). He noted projected enrollment declines of about 208 students over three years and identified liabilities tied to AB 218 (California Child Victims Act), which the presentation estimated at roughly $800,000 in near‑term costs. Champion said the district maintained a 3% reserve and continues to budget conservatively while watching state trailer‑bill changes and deferred payments.
Trustees reviewed and unanimously approved a series of vendor agreements and purchases that align with instructional and operational priorities. These included professional development with the UCI Irvine Math Project for TK–6 teachers and principals; food‑service contract awards for secondary and elementary vendors (Mars/Domino's and Papa John's, respectively); a Gold Star Foods agreement for bread products; and an Anatomage Inc. purchase of a virtual cadaver table to support the district's sports‑medicine/CTE program. District staff said the Anatomage purchase is funded with restricted career‑path grant dollars and not the general fund.
The board also approved capital‑finance steps related to Measure H: Resolution 25‑15 requested that the Orange County Board of Supervisors place the district's anticipated Series A bond tax rate on the tax roll to reduce interest costs when the district sells approximately $40 million in bonds. Trustees approved the resolution in a 4–0 roll‑call vote. The board later passed Resolution 25‑16 regarding the Education Protection Account (Prop 55) in a separate 4–0 roll call.
Several action items carried by unanimous vote during the meeting; staff said more budget details will be reconciled in the coming months and at first interim.
