Orange Unified board certifies first interim budget, sets $40M campus improvement commitment
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Summary
The Board of Education certified its first interim financial report, projecting a $203 million ending fund balance and approving committed funds that include $40 million for campus improvements and reserves to guard against federal funding or enrollment declines.
The Orange Unified School District Board of Education voted Dec. 15 to certify the district's first interim financial report for 2025-26 and adopt a resolution committing general-fund dollars to strategic priorities, including $40 million for campus improvements and a reserve for potential federal funding reductions and enrollment decline.
Assistant Superintendent Jordan Hogan and Finance Director Meghna Bulsara presented the report, saying updated revenues increased by about $25.2 million — driven by higher LCFF/TK funding rates, carryover from federal and state grants, and one-time block grants — while projected expenditures rose by roughly $36 million to account for one-time capital purchases, program carryover and staffing changes. Bulsara said the district's projected ending fund balance is about $203 million, roughly 45% of annual expenditures, including $53.4 million in restricted program balances.
Board members asked for details on the district's assumptions, including enrollment, COLA sensitivity and federal grant timelines. Hogan said staff built multiyear projections and will update them after the governor's January budget proposal and the May revise.
Trustees unanimously approved staff recommendations. The board certified the first interim with a positive certification, finding the district can meet its financial obligations for the current and two subsequent fiscal years. The board also adopted a successor resolution designating committed funds for campus improvements, deferred maintenance, and a contingency for fiscal emergencies; that resolution passed 7-0.
The board indicated staff will return with more detailed plans linking campus-improvement commitments to the facilities master plan and site-specific projects.
