Board approves developer fee increase and second interim budget; adopts awareness resolution

The Jefferson Elementary School District Board of Education voted to adopt a developer fee justification study and raise statutory school facilities fees and, later in the meeting, approved a second interim budget that carries a positive certification.

At the item on developer fees, assistant superintendent Josie Peterson told trustees the proposed adjustment "helps the district maintain and modernize facilities over the long term" and that fees add revenue to repair aging buildings, upgrade safety and technology systems and prepare campuses for future students. The board approved the measure after Trustee Ali made the motion and a second was recorded; the motion passed by roll call.

Earlier, the board also adopted Resolution 26311b recognizing March 2026 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The superintendent summarized the resolution as recognizing the strengths and contributions of millions of people living with developmental disabilities and recommended adoption, which the board approved by roll call.

On the district’s finances, Assistant Superintendent Josie Peterson reviewed the second interim financial report for the period ending Jan. 31, 2026. She said the county office reviewed the district’s submission and concurred with a "positive certification," meaning the district expects to meet its financial obligations for the current fiscal year and the next two years based on current information. Peterson cautioned that multi-year projections show continued deficit spending — she cited an approximate $7,000,000 shortfall over the multi-year projection if no budget reductions are implemented — and that the projections assume the governor’s proposed COLA (2.41% for 2026–27). Trustees asked about grants and revenue growth; staff said many grants are competitive and often counted as one-time funds.

Other board actions included approval of the consent agenda, acceptance of policy updates in first reading, and approval of a certificated retirement request for Susan Perkins, a Westlake Elementary second-grade teacher retiring effective June 6, 2026. The meeting adjourned to closed session at 8:56 p.m.

The board packet and the adopted fee schedule cite Education Code Section 176 as the statutory authorization the district relied on for the developer fee level; the state allocation board’s approval date for comparable fees was noted as 01/28/2026. The district also reported receiving $620,000 in developer fee revenue this past year tied to a large nearby development.