Eureka Union projects enrollment growth and cautious budget outlook as board hears LCAP and budget overview

The Eureka Union School District on Tuesday presented enrollment projections showing continued growth and an adopted budget built on conservative state guidance, but leaders emphasized uncertainty tied to state funding and one‑time grants.

Superintendent Hana Anderson summarized enrollment trends and projections, saying the district had 850 new students during 2526 (717 entering before the year and 133 during the year) and that the district is "on track to have the second highest new enrollment" in recent history with a projected pre‑summer headcount just over 3,600 for 2627. Anderson also noted that incoming students are arriving slightly younger than demographers predicted, prompting the district to add two transitional kindergarten classrooms at Maidu and Green Hills to meet demand.

Melissa Marcato, presenting the budget overview, said total revenue in the adopted budget is just under $54 million with roughly $42 million from California’s Local Control Funding Formula and about $2 million classified as supplemental. She described key state proposals that could change the district picture after June 30: a statutory COLA at 2.87 percent, a proposed additional "super COLA" of 1.44 percent tied to expanded mandated pregnancy leave (which Marcato estimated at about $566,000 if included), a possible increase in special‑education per‑ADA funding (noted as a shift from $944 to $1,340 per ADA in draft proposals), and an expanded ELOP (expanded learning opportunities) rate that could increase restricted before‑and‑after‑school funding and add roughly $171,000 if the higher per‑pupil figure is adopted.

Marcato stressed that the district is booking the adopted budget conservatively on the statutory 2.87 percent COLA and will bring a 45‑day revision to the board after the state budget is finalized. "We do not know all the details tied to this at the state level," she said, and staff will return in August with a revised budget reflecting final trailer‑bill language and updated enrollment and ADA by grade.

Trustees praised the year’s work and the readiness for growth while urging caution. Trustee Matt said the district should be "cautiously optimistic" and asked staff to prioritize facilities work; Trustee Renee urged that one‑time state dollars not be committed to ongoing costs; and Trustee Jeff and others supported increased deferred maintenance funding and advancing curriculum plans where one‑time funds permit.

The board approved routine budget‑related resolutions on an abundance‑of‑caution basis (including temporary interfund transfer authority and dry‑period financing authorizations) and directed staff to return with updates in August and at the December interim presentation when actual ADA and staffing are finalized.