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Paramount Unified projects multi‑million dollar shortfall in 2025‑26 first interim report; board approves plan
Summary
Assistant Superintendent Patricia Tu and Director Christina Choi presented the 2025‑26 first interim showing a projected combined general fund shortfall; the board approved the report and discussed enrollment declines, ADA impacts and the need for data-driven accountability.
Paramount Unified's business services team presented the 2025‑26 first interim financial report, showing revenue and expenditure projections that indicate multi‑year budget pressures if current trends continue.
Assistant Superintendent Patricia Tu summarized enrollment and COLA trends, noting enrollment declines and an average daily attendance (ADA) rate around 92%. Director Christina Choi reported the combined general fund projection: total revenue of about $271,000,000 against projected expenditures of about $299,700,000, producing a projected deficit (debt spending) of roughly $28,700,000 for the combined funds. On the general fund unrestricted side, projected revenue was about $168,300,000 with expenditures of about $192,400,000, implying near‑term deficit spending and an ending unrestricted fund balance of about $56,400,000.
Choi outlined multiyear projections that, if unchanged, could reduce reserves to approximately $11,700,000 by the third year. Presenters noted that last year the district deficit‑spent about $6,000,000 and that projected declines in enrollment (estimates of several hundred students) and rising costs (salaries, insurance, utilities) are key pressures.
Board members pressed for data and accountability, asking how the district will measure effectiveness of consultants and programs meant to improve attendance. Trustees emphasized the need to identify programs to preserve and to produce measurable data so board decisions about spending and possible future cuts can be evidence‑based.
The board took action to approve the first interim report (agenda item 11.10); recorded in the meeting as "Motion passes 5‑0." Staff said the presented numbers are preliminary CALPADS/enrollment figures and will be finalized in January.
Why it matters: The first interim report is the district's formal fiscal status update to the board and state and informs decisions about reserves, program funding and potential budget reductions. Trustees signaled urgency to develop data metrics and oversight for consultant spending and attendance interventions.
What's next: Staff will finalize CALPADS/enrollment numbers in January and return with follow-up analysis; board members requested further detail on consultant spending, program metrics and outreach to improve ADA.
