Martinez Unified presents revised $2.54M reduction plan as trustees weigh restoring key student supports

The Martinez Unified School District on Feb. 3 presented a revised budget‑reduction proposal that trims about $2,540,000 in anticipated spending for fiscal year 2026–27 while flagging a continuing risk to restricted funds in future years.

District presenter Andy Cannon told the school board the governor’s January proposal could add roughly $2.4 million to the district’s total state funding picture but emphasized most of that would be one‑time or restricted money. “There’s somewhere in the neighborhood of $22,000,000,000 that’s additional funding for the state, of which we would receive part of that, which is approximately $2,400,000,” Cannon said, adding that the package includes potential one‑time grants (about $500 per ADA, roughly $1.8 million), a learning‑recovery allocation near $260,000, expanded‑learning funds of about $160,000 and roughly $200,000 from a special‑education base rate of $999 per ADA.

Cannon and other staff clarified which proposed reductions are permanent headcount changes and which are tied to attrition or expiring grants. The revised plan restores some positions that were in an earlier draft — most notably preserving two of three MTSS mental‑health counselor FTEs — while identifying about $1,000,000 in non‑staff reductions (travel, professional development and contracts) and changes to administrative work calendars.

Staff warned the board that many of the funds under discussion are restricted and short‑term. Cannon said the district’s $1.1 million student‑support and professional‑development block grant could temporarily cover some roles but that, without additional revenues or further reductions, restricted accounts could be drawn down in subsequent years. He told trustees that the board would consider final budget reductions at a Feb. 9 meeting and that the district plans to begin taking steps on certificated and classified layoff resolutions later in February.

Trustees pressed staff on the mechanics and multi‑year impact of using one‑time sources, the difference between restricted and unrestricted accounts, and the timing and savings from proposed furlough days for some administrators. Cannon advised the board that using one‑time sources to restore ongoing positions creates multi‑year budget implications and that staff would return with costed options reflecting board priorities.

No formal board vote on the budget reductions was taken at the Feb. 3 meeting; an early procedural motion to approve the meeting agenda carried at the start of the session.