Alisal Union board approves 2025–26 first interim budget with positive certification and maintains 10% reserve

The Alisal Union School District Board of Trustees voted 4–0 with one absence on Dec. 10 to file the 2025–26 first interim budget report with a positive certification and to approve related budget transfers.

Director of physical services Elaine Mendoza and Associate Superintendent Raees Obasi presented the quarterly report covering July 1–Oct. 31, saying the district’s enrollment is 7,108, funded ADA 6,930 and the unduplicated pupil count is 94.34 percent. Mendoza told the board the general fund shows an ending balance of $59,400,000 and reserves of $20,700,000 (reported as a 10 percent reserve).

"So at first interim, you'll see an ending fund balance of 59,400,000.0. Reserves is at 20,700,000.0," Mendoza said during the presentation.

Trustees pressed staff on what the reserves may be used for and how grant timelines work. Finance staff clarified that fund 21 is GO bond money restricted to construction and maintenance and that categorical grants such as ELOP (Expanded Learning Opportunities Program) have statutory spending periods; ELOP funds must be spent within two years, staff said.

Board members then approved Resolution No. 2526-11 authorizing budget increases and transfers related to the first interim reporting period. The board subsequently approved the first interim report itself, carrying the recommendation for a positive certification.

The district described next steps as preparing the second interim in March, monitoring the governor’s budget proposal and the May revision, and bringing the budget and Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) to public hearing and adoption in June.

Votes and motions in this meeting were recorded during the Dec. 10 session; the first interim presentation and vote were introduced in the meeting’s presentations segment and finalized under Item 7 (business services).