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Rocklin Unified outlines 2025–26 budget, warns of ongoing special-education cost pressures
Summary
Deputy Superintendent Jennifer Stallhieber presented the 2025–26 budget framework, citing COLA updates, LCFF deferral timing, and long-term pressure from special education contributions; staff will return June 18 for formal adoption and possible 45‑day revisions after the final state budget.
Rocklin Unified presented its draft 2025–26 district budget at the May board meeting, with Deputy Superintendent Jennifer Stallhieber telling trustees the picture includes modest COLA adjustments, cash-flow impacts from LCFF deferrals and rising special-education contribution costs.
Stallhieber said the district’s COLA projection was revised downward from a prior 2.43% estimate to about 2.30% and warned that proposed state LCFF deferrals shift cash-flow into July 2026, which affects district cash management though not the aggregate funding level. She also described a multi-year projection that shows ongoing expenditure pressure, largely driven by special-education costs and step-and-column salary growth.
"We actually received $42 less per ADA in 24–25," Stallhieber said as an example of how district funding can vary depending on funding-year calculations. She highlighted the district’s conservative assumptions for out years and the potential impact of one-time state grants, and reminded trustees that the district maintains a healthy fund balance and committed reserves for deficit mitigation.
Stallhieber outlined revenue and expenditure components — LCFF as the primary revenue source, federal program risks, and restricted funds such as student activities and nutrition services — and said staff will return to the board for formal budget adoption on June 18. If the final state budget materially changes assumptions, staff said it will bring a 45‑day revision for board consideration.
Trustees asked technical questions about the consumer price index versus COLA calculations, unassigned fund balance, and potential stabilization-account options; staff reiterated the district’s intent to balance one-time investments with multi-year fiscal sustainability.
