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Sequoia board swears in trustees, elects officers and approves budget interim with $20M deficit forecast
Summary
The Sequoia Union High School District sworn in three trustees, elected board officers and approved two closed-session settlements. The board approved the districtfirst interim financial report showing an estimated $43 million ending fund balance and a projected current-year deficit of roughly $20 million under planning assumptions.
The Sequoia Union High School District board on Dec. 18 administered oaths to re-elected Trustee Richard Ginn and newly sworn trustees Dr. Maria E. Cruz and Mary Elizabeth Thompson, then moved to organize leadership for the coming year and acted on several administrative items.
Following the oath ceremony, the board conducted officer elections and committee assignments. A trustee volunteer slate was confirmed and roll-call votes elected the board officers for the year (nominations and roll-call vote occurred; the motion carried). The board approved committee and 2x2 district participation assignments for 2025.
Closed-session report outs: the board reported approving two settlement agreements by unanimous votes. The chair read that, "by a vote of 5 board members in favor, 0 against," the board approved settlement agreements in case numbers 2024-2025-3 and 2024-2025-4.
Budget action: Finance staff presented the districtfirst interim financial report, a California Department of Education requirement covering the period ending Oct. 31. Staff reported planning assumptions, a property-tax growth figure of about 4% for the current year and used a 5% projection for out years. Key figures discussed included an estimated ending general-fund balance near $43,000,000; projected current-year deficit spending of approximately $20,000,000; and a projected deficit of about $6,500,000 for 2025-26 under the planning assumptions. Staff flagged uncertainties including property-tax volatility, enrollment declines at the EPAA charter and expiring one-time funds.
Trustees asked clarifying questions about the assessor's property-tax estimates, enrollment effects on LCFF and charter transfers. Finance staff reiterated continued monitoring and plans to bring a second interim to the board in March. The board moved to approve the first interim report; the motion passed by voice vote.
Provenance: Swearing-in and officer elections were recorded during the opening segment (oaths SEG 124246; officer roll call and votes SEG 334377). Closed-session report outs were read in open session (SEG 681687). The first interim presentation and approval are documented in the budget presentation (SEG 40274390).
