Alisal Union board approves 2025–26 second interim budget amid enrollment decline; takes multiple personnel and plan votes

The Alisal Union School District board unanimously approved its 2025–26 second interim budget and several accompanying actions at the February meeting, while trustees also approved school safety plans and personnel requests including one contentious staffing vote.

Associate Superintendent of Business Rais Abbasi presented the second interim budget (figures current as of January 2026) and explained the district’s assumptions: an official enrollment of 7,108, funded ADA of 6,954, an annual enrollment decline of about 3%, and a state cost‑of‑living adjustment of about 2.3%. Abbasi presented the districtwide numbers: "Revenues, $171,600,000. Expenditures, $224,600,000. That leaves a deficit of $53,000,000," he said, noting the district would use prior‑year fund balance to cover one‑time costs and maintain a 10% board‑directed reserve.

The board voted to approve budgetary transfers and Resolution 2526‑14 concerning budget increases and transfers, then approved the second interim report; both actions were recorded as passing by 5–0. Abbasi also described multiyear projections showing a long‑term decline to about 6,463 students by 2031–32 absent faster housing growth; he said construction of a new school could cost roughly $60 million in construction alone and would likely require a bond measure.

Other board actions approved in the same meeting included:

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (contracts, MOUs, grants, trips): passed 5–0. - Resolution 2526‑14 (budgetary increases and transfers): passed 5–0. - 2025–26 second interim budget report (formal approval): passed 5–0. - Updated School Plans for Student Achievement (SPSAs): passed 5–0. - Comprehensive school safety plans and school vision/goals: passed 5–0. - New Human Resource Analyst position: passed 4–1 (Trustee Velasquez opposed). - Paraeducator 0.75 FTE position: passed 5–0. - Resolution 2526‑13 (ordering and consolidating an election): passed 5–0.

Trustees asked about the timeline for housing‑driven enrollment growth and whether developers typically donate land for new schools; Abbasi cautioned that approved housing phases are gradual and that student generation rates mean thousands of units would be required to drive major enrollment increases. The board also reported closed‑session action: it adopted three resolutions under Education Code section 44951 and authorized the superintendent or designee to notify two principals and one vice principal of release and reassignment; that closed‑session vote was recorded 5–0.

The board’s scheduled next steps include public hearings and the June 24 meeting for final budget/LCAP adoption, where trustees will consider any follow‑up items.