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Capistrano Unified staff outline budget pressures as enrollment falls; trustees press for clarity on federal and special‑education funding
Summary
Deputy Superintendent Clark Hampton and finance staff presented preliminary unaudited financials showing declining enrollment, continued reliance on local property taxes, and a plan of proactive budget adjustments. Trustees pressed staff on Title funds, special‑education funding, TK class counts and attendance assumptions.
Capistrano Unified School District staff presented preliminary, unaudited financial statements and a multi‑year projection at the board’s Aug. 13 meeting, warning that declining enrollment and rising costs — particularly for special education — require early, measured budget adjustments.
Deputy Superintendent Clark Hampton told trustees the district revised its budget after the governor’s final budget and noted a temporary federal hold on some Title funds that was later lifted. Hampton said the amount was relatively small compared with the district’s total budget but that the episode underscored fiscal uncertainty. He said about 79.5% of district spending is for salaries and benefits and that roughly 75% of revenue comes through the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF).
Finance staff described the multi‑year projection showing reserves declining under current assumptions; the district’s strategy is to make proactive reductions and use attrition where possible to avoid layoffs. Staff recommended continuing attendance incentives and monitoring transitional kindergarten (TK) staffing: the district plans 77 TK classes this year compared with 53 last year.
Trustees asked for specifics on Title I–IV programs and on the mix of state versus federal special‑education funding. Trustee Jones said she was surprised federal funds that had been held back were released and urged greater public attention to unfunded state mandates. Staff clarified Title II supports teacher quality, Title III supports English learners, and Title IV covers student support and safety; staff said Title III funding is not expected next year and that the district receives more state than federal special‑education dollars.
Trustees also discussed the mechanics of achieving basic‑aid status and how charter school transfers reduce local property‑tax funding. Staff noted the district’s enrollment is about 40,000 students and singled out an online charter with roughly 4,800 students (about 107 from the district) as a factor in property‑tax transfers. The board adopted the preliminary unaudited financial statements by roll call after the presentation.
Next steps: staff will update the board at the first‑interim budget in December and present audited results for fiscal year 2024–25 in January when the district’s auditors finish verification.
