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Board reviews budget priorities, approves grants and a $10,500 donation; personnel leave granted
Summary
The board heard a budget-committee overview of a roughly $36 million operational budget, discussed federal funding risks and legislative items to watch, approved Fine Arts and bilingual grant applications, accepted a $10,500 donation for middle-school initiatives and approved a personnel leave request.
Budget committee members and administrators briefed the board on budget priorities and near-term actions, then the board approved a set of finance and program items.
Mrs Romero presented a high-level review of the March 13 budget committee meeting: the district’s operational budget for the year was shown at about $36 million with a reported unit value near 6,241 and staff salaries and benefits accounting for roughly 83.7% of the operational budget. Staff cautioned that reductions in federal funds could require moving federally funded positions into the operational budget if grant revenues decline.
Administrators also summarized several pieces of state legislation under consideration that could affect district finances and staffing, including House Bill 2 (the state public education funding bill with multiple committee proposals for increases), House Bill 63 (paid FMLA, pending in the Senate Finance Committee), HB94 (proposals related to early-grade staffing/multiplier changes) and Senate Bill 133 (ERB return-to-work timing changes). Superintendent biano said staff are tracking roughly 75–78 bills that could affect the district.
On actions, the board approved the Fine Arts grant application (to fund portions of elementary and sixth-grade music-related FTE, supplies and a small PD budget), approved the bilingual program application (serving 57 students), accepted an AP Family Enterprise donation of $10,500 to Mori Middle School for student incentives and a trip contingent on participation goals, and approved unpaid leave for a transportation employee through June 30, 2025 with future reevaluation. The finance consent agenda (items 1–4) and other routine items were also approved by voice vote.
Board members noted timing for upcoming budget conversations, including the spring budget conference April 9–11 and a follow-up budget committee meeting to work from a mock budget once unit-value numbers are confirmed. Staff estimated next steps to compile committee feedback and present recommendations to the board ahead of the April regular meeting.
Votes at a glance: Fine Arts application — approved; bilingual application — approved; AP donation $10,500 — approved; unpaid leave for transportation employee — approved; consent agenda finance items 1–4 — approved; out-of-state travel for robotics teams — approved.
