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MVLA board adopts $159.8 million preliminary budget for 2026–27, maintains healthy reserves
Summary
Trustees approved the 2026–27 preliminary district budget after presentations showing revenue just under $160 million, expenditures of about $157 million, and a projected reserves balance of roughly $26.7 million (16.7%).
The Mountain View–Los Altos Union High School District Board of Trustees approved the district’s preliminary 2026–27 budget after staff presented revenue assumptions, fund balances and multi‑year projections.
Mike introduced the budget and summarized headline figures: total revenue projected just under $160 million and expenditures just over $157 million, yielding a projected increase in the district’s fund balance of $2,750,860. Staff emphasized that total revenue growth is modest (about 1.7%) and that property taxes remain the primary revenue driver, with the LCFF/property-tax component expected to grow by roughly 3.8% in the district’s assumptions.
Elvis reviewed restricted versus unrestricted funds, noting a healthier restricted fund balance and a district reserve target of about 16.7% (reported as $26,696,310). Staff also flagged $3.96 million in projected one‑time state funds carried in the restricted side of the budget and noted a 2% compensation increase assumption for certificated and classified staff in the coming year.
Trustees asked questions about pension (CalSTRS/CalPERS) projections, donation accounting and how the district addressed swings created by site donations. Presenters said donation and restricted trust accounting will be shown on the board’s financial documents and emphasized the practice of aligning spend‑down to actual usage to avoid misleading year‑to‑year swings.
After discussion, Trustee Katherine moved and Trustee Alex seconded a motion to adopt the budget. The board approved the preliminary 2026–27 budget by voice vote (5‑0). Staff said the budget will be refined at the first interim report and updated in September when audited actuals are available.
