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Perris Union High reports stronger-than-expected 2024-25 finances; board approves consultant contract amid debate
Summary
Trustees heard the district's 2024-25 unudited actuals showing larger ending balances than earlier estimates and approved a two-year, month-to-month consulting agreement after a 3-2 vote. Board members and employee representatives sparred over messaging about reserves and recent changes to employee dress-code guidance.
The Perris Union High School District on Sept. 10 received its 2024-25 unudited actuals and approved a disputed consulting agreement as trustees weighed how to use higher-than-expected year-end balances.
Dr. Williams, director of fiscal services, told the board the district closed the books with an $8.1 million ending general-fund balance for 2024-25, a swing from an earlier estimate of about $1.3 million. He said the difference reflected a roughly $2.3 million revenue increase (including an ADA adjustment of 33 students), about $4 million in unrestricted expenditure savings and accounting adjustments such as fair-market-value changes to investments. Dr. Williams emphasized that portions of the total are restricted or accounting adjustments and not fully available for discretionary spending.
The finance presentation followed public remarks from PSA President Jason Miller, who described "$45 million" as the district's approximate unrestricted ending balance (he combined restricted and unrestricted categories when describing a larger figure) and urged the board to use available funds to settle bargaining units. "This district is not in financial crisis," Miller said. Trustees and staff responded by distinguishing unrestricted operating funds from restricted carryovers and fair-market-value accounting adjustments.
Trustees quickly moved from discussion to action on several fiscal items. They unanimously approved authorization to file the 2024-25 unudited actual financial report, and adopted a resolution to set the GANN limit and several required budget items. The board also approved authorization for capital purchases and routine procurement items on the September consent list.
A separate, closely watched vote concerned a two-year consulting agreement with Hazard Yangia & Associates (HYA). The contract was structured as month-to-month (making it cancellable), for a proposed cost of $150,000 per year. Trustees divided over whether the district still needed external support: opponents argued the district should reinvest the funds directly in staff or students and said the board had not solicited competing bids; supporters said consultants provide expertise and checks and balances the board and new leadership can use. After debate the motion passed, 3-2.
Other board actions during the meeting included approval of retired-annuitant extra-help assignments and multiple personnel items, most carried on unanimous or majority votes.
What's next: The budget advisory committee the superintendent announced will begin advising on budget priorities and LCAP alignment. The board will receive first interim projections in December, and trustees indicated they may revisit contracted services and procurement practices in upcoming meetings.
Authorities: The board recorded formal votes and adopted resolution No. 07-2526 (GANN limit) during the meeting. The unudited actuals presentation was the formal 2024-25 unaudited actuals that will be filed with the county by Sept. 15.
Ending: Trustees left the meeting with a directive to the superintendent and finance staff to present interim projections in December and with the new budget advisory committee preparing recommendations for upcoming budget cycles.
