Rocklin Unified approves unaudited 2023–24 financials, sets 2024–25 appropriation limit and affirms textbook sufficiency

Beth Parish, the district's director of fiscal services, presented Rocklin Unified's unaudited actual revenues and expenditures for 2023—24 and told the board the figures will be audited later this year. "This is going to be our actual revenues and expenditures for 23—24," Parish said, explaining that LCFF remained the district's largest revenue source and that recent lottery and categorical-grant activity changed some restricted balances.

Parish told trustees the district recorded a combined $4.9 million increase in ending fund balance, most of it restricted by categorical grants and carryovers. She said GASB 31 fair-market-value adjustments reduced the book value of pooled county investments and that the unrestricted fund balance declined by about $1.2 million. Parish highlighted specific line items including a roughly $642,000 decrease in special-education legal costs and roughly $690,000 recognized from the children and youth behavioral initiative (CYBHI) grant.

"With accrual accounting, we have to either receive the item or have the expense incurred by June 30," Parish said, noting timing differences can make savings appear larger in any single reporting period. Trustees asked for clarification about which savings are one-time timing effects and which free up ongoing resources; Parish said many of the larger increases reflect restricted funds carried into 2024—25 to complete projects already under way.

Trustee Derek Counter moved to approve the unaudited actuals; Trustee Michelle Sutherland seconded the motion and the clerk called the roll. The motion passed with all voting in favor.

On a separate housekeeping item required by state law, Parish reported the district's Gann appropriation limits. She said the revised 2023—24 Gann limit is $102,654,435.76 and that the estimated appropriation limit for 2024—25 is $106,349,252.23. The trustees approved the resolution to establish the appropriation limitations by roll-call vote.

Dr. Bill McDonald, the district's associate superintendent of elementary education, opened the statutorily required public hearing on textbook sufficiency and attested that the district has sufficient textbooks and instructional materials for 2024—25 in all core academic areas and laboratory science. "I attest that there are sufficient textbooks and instructional materials for each student attending the Rocklin Unified School District in all academic areas," McDonald told the board. The hearing drew no public comment, and trustees approved the resolution to affirm sufficiency by roll call.

What happens next: Parish said the district will present audited financial statements and a first interim update for 2024—25 in December after external audit procedures are complete. The board did not identify any changes to current spending plans at the meeting.

Sources: Presentation and roll-call votes at the Sept. 18 Rocklin Unified School District board meeting.