Beaumont Unified previews 2025—26 budget; board adopts EPA spending resolution

Beaumont Unified School District finance staff presented the preliminary 2025—26 budget at the May 27 board meeting, reviewed multi-year projections and explained assumptions that will feed into the formal budget adoption process later this summer.

The presentation covered assumptions from the state (including a May revised COLA estimate of about 2.30%), projected district enrollment growth of roughly 2.5%, and an average daily attendance assumption of 94%. Officials said the district built the budget assuming an unduplicated pupil percentage averaging about 69.83% and factored current retirement rate projections (STRS about 19.10%).

Budget lead Carmen told trustees the district expects to end 2024—25 with roughly $50.1 million in reserves and projected an ending unrestricted fund balance near $26.7 million for 2025—26 as the budget is refined. "Our ending balance is projected to be at $26.7 million," Carmen said during the presentation. Staff also detailed restricted carryovers: the Expanded Learning Opportunities program carryover (about $3 million) and lottery carryover (about $900,000), and noted several one-time awards in 2024—25 that will not repeat.

Trustees asked clarifying questions about COLA revisions, enrollment and how restricted and assigned funds were included in the multi-year projections. Staff emphasized the difference between restricted accounts (grants with dedicated uses) and the unrestricted general fund, and explained the district—s reserves policy (a required 3% reserve plus board-assigned operating reserves equivalent to one month's expenditures).

During the meeting the board adopted Resolution 2024-25-32, a spending determination for the 2025—26 Education Protection Account (EPA) fund. The motion was moved by Trustee David Sanchez, seconded by Trustee Susie Lara, and passed by roll call vote. Trustees also approved the consent agenda and multiple personnel and program items (SIPs, grant acceptance from the Gene Hos Foundation, collective bargaining tentative agreement with the Beaumont Teachers Association, job description revisions, and assignment orders) in routine votes recorded on the transcript.

What happens next: staff said the budget presentation will return to the board for adoption at a future meeting after the May revise updates are finalized and county review occurs; trustees scheduled their next regular board meeting for June 10.