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Independent review: Los Banos Unified budget in generally good shape but reserves lag statewide averages
Summary
An independent review by School Services of California said Los Banos Unified’s budget practices are sound and use current assumptions, but cautioned that declining enrollment reduces the district’s 'net COLA' and leaves unrestricted reserves around 8–9%, well below statewide unified-district averages.
Matt Phillips of School Services of California told the Los Banos Unified School District board that an independent review of the district’s budget shows solid fiscal practices but a need for continued vigilance.
Phillips said the review focused on the assumptions underlying the adopted budget and the district’s multi-year projections. He said a budget is “built on assumptions,” and that the most useful review examines whether those assumptions — about enrollment, Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) components and one‑time state dollars — remain current. "Any budget you look at is exactly wrong but what we want it to be is approximately right," Phillips said.
Why it matters: the district received large one‑time state infusions in…
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