Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board adopts 2025–26 budget; staff point to $7.3M general‑fund deficit after transfers
Summary
Arcadia Unified adopted its 2025–26 budget. Staff said the district’s total general fund shows a $7.3M deficit after accounting entries, and an unrestricted general‑fund deficit improves to $3.9M driven partly by transfers from retiree benefits (Fund 20) and deficit‑reduction actions.
The Arcadia Unified School District Board voted to adopt the district’s 2025–26 budget after a multi-part presentation and questioning period that reviewed revenues, expenditures and reserve requirements.
David (business services presenter) summarized the adopted-budget totals: “We're anticipating revenue to increase in 25‑26 compared to the current year by $2,900,000,” he said, and walked the board through revenue drivers including LCFF COLA, local SELPA tuition and parcel-tax receipts. Staff reported total revenues of about $152.8 million and expenditures of roughly $162.0 million, leaving a total general-fund change in balance that staff presented as a $7.3 million deficit for 2025–26. Staff explained that an incoming contribution from Fund 20 (retiree benefits) of $1.5 million and a separate $400,000 retiree benefit contribution are included to meet the district’s unrestricted 3% reserve requirement.
Staff highlighted three items that materially shaped the budget: (1) the treatment of federal and state timing differences and deferred revenue recognition, (2) school-site carryovers budgeted conservatively as a one-time offset under the deficit‑reduction plan, and (3) expenses tied to special‑education regional programs (SELPA) that both increase revenue and offsetting expense. Leadership said the unrestricted general‑fund deficit improves from $8.0 million to about $3.9 million in the adopted plan but that some of that improvement reflects transfers from other funds rather than solely operational changes.
Board members asked about the district’s legal duties if it cannot meet reserve thresholds and staff explained options such as fiscal stabilization plans and potential county or state intervention steps (FCMAT) if certifications are negative. The board adopted the budget on a 4–0 voice vote.
Staff also noted planned capital projects (two replacement school buses funded via a state transportation reimbursement program) and continued attention to deferred maintenance and Measure AS bond projects.
