Moreno Valley Unified certifies first interim financial report; CFO warns of enrollment decline

The board reviewed the district’s first interim financial report (through Oct. 31) and voted to certify a "positive" certification for fiscal 2025‑26.

Chief Business Official Susanna Lopez told trustees the first‑interim presentation covers certified data through the CALPADS cutoff and the district’s multi‑year projections. She recommended a positive certification and explained the key assumptions behind revenue and expenditure forecasts, noting LCFF reliance and that more than 95% of unrestricted revenue is tied to LCFF sources. Lopez said staff are projecting enrollment declines for the next two years and will continue to monitor trends; she gave a current enrollment figure of 30,380 and said the drop from last year to this year was discussed in the packet.

Lopez outlined several budget drivers: projected cost‑of‑living adjustments (COLA) assumptions, step and column salary growth, retirement contribution rates (STRS at 19.1% at the time of the presentation), and contributions required for special education and routine repair and maintenance. She also described growth in restricted revenues driven by one‑time state grants (e.g., professional development block grant) and how carryover increases restricted‑fund reserves while creating planned deficit spending on the restricted side over the next several years.

Trustees asked detailed questions about the decline in enrollment, which grade bands are most affected (elementary grades 4–7 bubble noted) and attendance trends; Lopez said the district will continue proactive monitoring and update assumptions when the governor’s budget is released. The board moved to certify the first interim report and later approved the accompanying motion for the financial report on the consent/action track. The motions were recorded as carried by the board.