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Los Alamitos USD previews 2026–27 budget; district projects positive certification despite enrollment declines
Summary
Business services presented a proposed 2026–27 budget showing an anticipated $3.5 million increase in revenue driven by special education and COLA but a $961,000 drop in beginning fund balance; the district projects to remain above state-required reserves and will return the budget for approval June 23.
Elvia Schnur, the districtbusiness services director, presented the Los Alamitos Unified School Districtproposed budget for 2026–27, explaining state budget changes, local assumptions and multiyear projections.
Schnur described the governors May revision as generally more positive than earlier projections, noting a statutory 2.87% COLA and an additional 1.44% LCFF investment that the administration has tied to a paid pregnancy disability leave requirement. "We will have a cost associated to if that goes to fruition," Schnur said, adding that the district is monitoring how one-time funds and special education increases will land in the final enacted budget.
Schnur highlighted key figures: supplemental LCFF funds of about $3.6 million in 2025–26 and an expected $3.5 million going into 2026–27; an overall operating budget base near $103 million; and an unduplicated pupil percentage of about 17.55% that determines supplemental allocations. She reported a $961,000 reduction in the estimated beginning fund balance (from $5.8 million to $4.8 million), driven by roughly $524,000 in revenue increases offset by about $1.4 million in expenditure increases (primarily negotiated salary adjustments). "The net effect is the 961," she said.
Even with the revised beginning balance, Schnur said the district projects to meet the state's reserve requirements and expects an unrestricted general fund balance of approximately $4.7 million for 2026–27. She noted ongoing risks: declining enrollment that reduces revenue per ADA, the potential fiscal impact of expanded leave requirements for employees, and uncertainty around the state's handling of Prop 98 shortfalls (a "settle up" approach versus a suspension). Board members discussed advocacy options for state-level engagement.
Why it matters: The proposed budget frames the districtfinancial posture for the year ahead and informs decisions on staffing, programs and reserves. The presentation included explicit next steps: staff will monitor legislative action, the budget will be presented for action on June 23, and an August 4 45-day revision may be required if significant one-time state funding materializes.
Provenance: Topic introduction SEG 959; topic finish SEG 1470.
