District presents 2026–27 budget outlook; positive certification but multi‑year deficit pressures remain

Chief Business Officer Mr. Simmons presented the district’s 2026–27 budget overview, walking trustees through national and state economic assumptions and the local budget picture. He said COLA for the year is 4.31% (including a 1.44% augmentation tied to a 14‑week paid pregnancy disability leave), and cautioned that some state funds are one‑time and therefore not appropriate for ongoing expenses.

Simmons reported the district’s combined general fund is roughly $450 million with about 68% from LCFF resources and noted declining enrollment and unduplicated count changes have reduced some revenue. He said special education funding per funded ADA increased (an approximate $340 bump reported), which was helpful given rising special‑ed costs.

Projected combined fund balance at the end of the budget year was presented as approximately $124.4 million with an unrestricted ending balance of about $55.9 million; Simmons said his net decrease projection is roughly $9.5 million, though figures will adjust as books close. He also described multi‑year projections showing out‑year pressure with an illustrative third‑year unrestricted percentage that could fall in some projections to the low teens or single digits without adjustments.

Simmons described the district stabilization plan and said the district has realized about $23 million in reductions through position and non‑position changes, with additional planned reductions still under consideration. Board members asked questions about revenue assumptions, transfers between funds, and sample sizes for parent surveys referenced earlier in the meeting.

The presentation was followed later by the required public hearing on the budget; no oral public comments were recorded during the hearing period.