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Board hears LCAP and 2025–26 budget; approves emergency measures and creates capital fund after PV High fire
Summary
Trustees held public hearings on the LCAP and the district’s 2025–26 original budget, approved emergency procurement continuation for Pleasant Valley High School fire restoration, authorized a capital outlay fund for fire-related insurance and expenditures, approved Measure K projects and CEQA exemptions for TK additions, and amended board policy to raise the board-designated reserve to 4%.
At the June 18 meeting the Chico Unified School Board conducted public hearings on its Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) for 2025–26 and the district’s original 2025–26 budget, approved several facilities and grant-spending items, continued an emergency declaration tied to the Pleasant Valley High School (PV) fire and created a capital outlay fund to account for fire-related insurance reimbursements and expenditures.
LCAP and budget: Staff presented the four LCAP goals (academic instruction/supports; social-emotional learning; behavioral supports; and equity multiplier spending for six qualifying sites) and outlined associated investments including bilingual aides, reading specialists, Chromebooks, counselors and teacher leadership positions. The public hearing for the LCAP opened for comment; staff invited input through June 25 and said final adoption is scheduled for June 25.
Business services presented the 2025–26 original budget assumptions: LCFF-driven revenue, a projected funded ADA and a three-year unduplicated pupil percentage above the 55% threshold (estimated three-year average 56.89%), and a small projected unrestricted general fund deficit of about $421,000 for 2025–26. Staff noted strong interest-income performance and some one-time savings will offset the current-year estimate; multi-year projections showed modest deficits farther out but manageable reserves. The district opened the required public hearing on the original budget and the reserve disclosure (reserves above the state 3% threshold require board substantiation). Staff detailed reserve components — board-designated reserve, site carryovers, federal program timing and a $14 million contingency to address state-budget uncertainty — and held the required public hearing with no speakers.
Pleasant Valley fire and emergency procurement: Staff requested continuation of an emergency declaration (resolution 1692-25) to expedite restoration procurement and supplies for PV following the April 25 fire; trustees approved continuation unanimously. A trustee raised ongoing concerns about the Chico Fire Department response and requested a follow-up report at the November board meeting; that request was entered on the record as a statement from the trustee. To segregate fire-related expenditures and anticipated insurance proceeds, the board unanimously approved resolution 1693-25 to establish a capital outlay fund (designated Fund 40) so costs and reimbursements are recorded outside the general fund.
Facilities, grants and CEQA: The board approved Measure K project requests for Chico Country Day (gym floor) and Nord Country School (sidewalk, fencing) and authorized Golden State Pathways grant construction spending (total construction portion reported at $1,582,660). The board approved city-exemption resolutions and CEQA notices of exemption for Marold and Citrus TK/classroom projects, finding they do not increase campus occupancy beyond CEQA thresholds.
Board policy change: Trustees approved a revision to BP 3100 to increase the board-designated reserve from an additional 2% to 4%, effective July 1, 2025, with the stated purpose of ensuring about one month of payroll liquidity. The motion passed unanimously.
Votes at a glance: community schools implementation plan (approved unanimously); ESY reduced-day waiver (approved unanimously); Measure K project requests (approved unanimously); CEQA/resolution approvals for Marold and Citrus projects (each approved unanimously); Golden State Pathways construction spending (approved unanimously); continuation of emergency declaration (approved unanimously); creation of capital outlay fund 40 (approved unanimously); BP 3100 reserve change to 4% (approved unanimously); resolution 1696-25 (non-reelection of a probationary certificated employee) approved unanimously.
Next steps and public participation: Staff reiterated public comment windows — LCAP comments accepted through June 25 and the full budget to be brought back for formal adoption at the next board meeting. Trustees and staff urged public involvement in LCAP input opportunities and said staff will continue to monitor state and federal funding developments.
