Board approves first interim report; fiscal coordinator says district has 'positive certification' despite deficit spending

The Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District board unanimously approved the 2024–25 first interim financial report at its Dec. 17 meeting after a presentation by fiscal coordinator Amber.

Amber told the board the report covers financial activity from July 1 through Oct. 31, 2024, and said the district currently holds a “positive certification,” meaning it can meet its financial obligations for the current year and the subsequent two years. Amber noted the district is projecting deficit spending across the multi-year outlook but is maintaining a required 3% reserve for economic uncertainty.

The presentation included several figures and operational details: unrestricted payroll accounts for roughly 84% of unrestricted expenditures and represents about $76 million in payroll expenses; the district's Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2024–25 is 1.07%, with projected COLAs of about 2% for 2025–26 and 3.08% for 2026–27. Amber also explained enrollment and average daily attendance (ADA) trends and described a pilot at the high school to strengthen independent-study documentation in light of SB 153, so the district can maximize ADA recovery.

Board members pressed staff on implementation timelines. Staff said the independent-study pilot will be validated with auditors in late January or early February and, if approved, could be expanded next year to recover additional ADA funding. The board will receive the second interim report in March and the May Revision of the state budget in May, which could change multi-year projections.

"We are at a positive certification, which is great news," Amber said during the presentation.