Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Superintendent reports enrollment dip, preliminary fund balance and bond-funded facility projects
Summary
Superintendent Richard Rivera reported a 160‑student enrollment decline vs. last year, preliminary fund balances (beginning fund balance $71.553M; general fund approx. $59.0M after Child Nutrition allocation) and updates on bond-funded roofs, restrooms and track projects.
Superintendent Dr. Richard Rivera gave the board an update on enrollment, finances and bond‑funded projects at the Aug. 26 meeting.
Rivera said October enrollment stood at 16,116 — 160 fewer students than the same time last year — and estimated that difference at roughly $1.3 million in lost attendance-based funding at current ADA. He listed likely causes including immigration concerns and competition from charter schools and praised principals and staff for strong early‑year average daily attendance (ADA) percentages at many campuses.
On district finances, Rivera presented preliminary numbers: a beginning fund balance of $71,553,000; an assigned balance to Child Nutrition of $13,000,000.85; a remaining general fund balance reported as approximately $59,000,002.68 with $7,500,000 earmarked for one‑time projects. He also cited roughly $3,500,000 in interest income from the fund balance. Rivera cautioned that figures are preliminary pending the district's annual audit and noted TEA revised the annual financial report submission deadline to Feb. 17 because of federal grant audit timing.
Rivera reviewed bond‑funded capital work: campus roof repairs tied to the 2023 bond (expected sequence and target completion dates), full restroom renovations at selected elementary campuses to meet code and capacity, and track resurfacing at West Lago East High School nearing final closeout once ADA items are completed. The administration said proposals for restroom improvements and other bond projects appear on the consent agenda for ranking and contractor selection.
Trustees asked for copies of the TEA notice, details on the reconciliation of the general ledger for 2024–25 and clarification about reclassifying surplus construction funds; administration agreed to provide the TEA letter and further reconciliation updates. Trustee Delos Santos urged prompt reconciliation of the general ledger and called for transparency on proposed cuts and use of the unrestricted fund balance if needed to maintain operations.
The board later approved the interim financial report for the month ended July 31, 2025, after discussion.
