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Cloverdale Unified holds public hearings on LCAP and 2025–26 budget, projects enrollment decline and tight reserves
Summary
District staff presented the 2025–26 budget assumptions including COLA projections, pension impacts, step and column costs, declining enrollment projections and an estimated unrestricted ending fund balance of $834,716; the board held the required public hearings and will consider approval at a future meeting.
The Cloverdale Unified School District board held public hearings Tuesday on the 2025–27 Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) and the proposed 2025–26 budget, receiving staff presentations and public comment before adjourning the hearings.
Business staff outlined key budget assumptions used for multi‑year projections: a cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) of 2.3% for 2025–26, 3.02% for 2026–27 and 3.42% for 2027–28; unrestricted lottery of $191 per ADA and restricted lottery of $82 per ADA; and pension cost impacts. The presenter noted that CalPERS employer rates had risen substantially over the past decade and that step and column costs for the district total more than $200,000 per year. (Speaker: Finance presenter)
Staff explained the difference between actual enrollment, average daily attendance (ADA) and funded ADA. The district has seen a decline in enrollment: October 2024 census showed 1,303 students; the May count was 1,262; and staff projected 1,244 for 2025–26 based on bumping grade cohorts forward. Jefferson Elementary and Washington School projections show declines in the near term, while the high school projection is more variable. Staff called the presented projections conservative and said the district hopes actual figures will be better.
The presenter summarized unrestricted fund components and reserves: estimated unrestricted ending fund balance is $834,716; assigned unrestricted lottery $14,261; and the reserve for economic uncertainty (3%) is $673,573. Staff noted the district is working toward board policy targets and said transfers for deferred maintenance ($75,000) and a track/field replacement ($100,000) were included in the plan for the near term.
Staff warned that the state budget adoption could change assumptions and that a 45‑day update in August is standard practice if significant changes occur.
Public hearings require a separate meeting from adoption under Education Code; the board closed the hearings and will consider formal adoption at an upcoming meeting.
