CVUSD presents qualified first interim report and recommends further fiscal stabilization

Coachella Valley Unified School District fiscal staff presented the 2025‑26 first interim financial report on Dec. 11 and recommended a qualified certification consistent with the board‑approved fiscal stabilization plan.

Assistant Superintendent Julie Vigil and the finance team said the interim compares the adopted budget to actuals through Oct. 31, 2025, and reflects updated enrollment and average daily attendance. The presentation reported an additional decrease of 118 students beyond a previously anticipated reduction of 277, which the staff said equated to an 85‑ADA decrease and a modest net revenue increase from a rise in unduplicated pupil percentage.

Vigil told the board the district shifted a $13,000,000 one‑time revenue enhancement from Fund 40 into the general fund to help offset current year needs and recommended an additional $20,000,000 stabilization commitment to address remaining deficit spending and preserve a 3% mandated reserve for economic uncertainties.

Trustee Valerie Garcia questioned the methodology for multi‑year enrollment projections and expressed concern that the staff used a five‑year trend that may overstate declines relative to the state's three‑year blending approach. Vigil said staff examined longer trends to capture recurring substantial drops in prior years and that the multi‑year projections are intended to reflect worst‑case scenarios so the district can plan conservatively.

Trustee Jesus Gonzales thanked staff for conservative, responsible assumptions and said the approach positions the district to avoid further surprise cuts. The board voted to approve the first interim report and multi‑year projection during the meeting.

Next steps included incorporating the governor's January budget proposals and updated COLA estimates into the second interim and developing the 2026‑27 budget starting in late January, the presentation said.