Cartwright board approves proposed 2026–27 expenditure and desegregation budgets

The Cartwright Elementary School District governing board on June 10 voted to approve the proposed 2026–27 annual expenditure budget and the 2026–27 desegregation budget, advancing the documents for public review and a required public hearing on June 24.

Dr. Ethridge, presenting the proposal, said the only item newly added to the budget forms is “the required 2% increase to the base support level and the transportation support level.” He told the board his office had conservatively projected lower enrollment—about 600 students fewer—as a planning measure, while noting district demographic studies show a possible decline nearer 300 students.

The district said an additional state funding package proposed in the legislature could bring roughly $1.5 million to the budget; that amount was not included in the proposed figures and would be incorporated later if the state budget changes. The presentation also noted the district could lose Prop 123 funding worth about $800,000 under some scenarios and that the administration prefers conservative budgeting ahead of final state action.

The motion to approve the proposed budgets passed on a roll-call vote: Miss Ku voted Yes; Mr. Hernandez voted Yes; Jennifer Romero voted Yes; President Hernandez voted Yes. The board approved the proposal to publish the budgets and hold the statutorily required public hearing at the June 24 regular meeting at 6 p.m. in the district boardroom.

Next steps: adoption of a final budget is required by July 15. The board's vote tonight advanced the documents for the public review period and set the timetable for final consideration after any state budget developments.