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Calexico Unified board approves positive certification for first interim budget amid enrollment decline
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Summary
Calexico Unified trustees voted 5-0 to approve a positive certification of the district's 2025-26 first interim budget after Assistant Superintendent Luis Dela Torre warned that a drop in funded ADA reduced revenue by about $3.8 million and staff said they will continue seeking grants and cost savings.
Calexico Unified School District trustees unanimously approved a positive certification for the district's 2025-26 first interim budget after a presentation that highlighted declining student attendance funding and ongoing efforts to shore up reserves.
Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Luis Dela Torre told the board the report used actual expenditures through Oct. 31 and several planning factors to project the district's finances. "The loss of funded ADA from 24-25 to 25-26 for us resulted in a, in, about $3,800,000 in less revenue for this fiscal year," he said, describing the gap as a primary pressure on the budget.
Dela Torre reviewed unrestricted and restricted fund projections, noting recognized revenue increases on the restricted side from the Expanded Learning Program and ACES funding and explaining that some one-time funds are ending. He said the district's total projected expenditures at first interim are higher than previously projected but that the team has identified decreases in several salary and benefit projections and other adjustments that together show an improved projected ending fund balance.
"Tonight, we do bring to you a positive certification, and we respectfully request your consideration for approval of this budget," Dela Torre said. Trustees thanked staff for the detail and for pursuing additional grants and other savings measures.
During discussion trustees raised the usual concerns: pension and health cost increases, declining enrollment and the effect of any change to the state cost-of-living adjustment. Trustee Carlos Contreras said he appreciated the outlook and grant-seeking work; Trustee Castillo emphasized the team effort to keep the district fiscal solvent.
The board moved to approve the positive certification (motion by Trustee Carlos Contreras; second by Trustee Fabiola Calderon). The motion passed on a 5-0 voice vote.
What happens next: staff said they will continue monitoring actuals and project that the second interim report, developed with more up-to-date data, should show further refinement of the projections. The district indicated it expects reimbursement for certain capital investments (paving grant, modular units, an energy modernization project) that could increase reserves in future reports.
