Board adopts positive certification for 2025–26 interim budget; reserves and Fund 17 explained

Michelle Coffin, the district’s director of fiscal services, presented the 2025–26 1st interim revised budget and recommended the board adopt a positive certification.

Coffin said district enrollment was 8,882 students at the information day, a funded ADA projection of roughly 8,398 and total revenues of $180,300,000, an increase of about $10.8 million since the adopted budget. Total expenses were reported at $205,200,000; salaries and benefits account for about 71% of the total budget. Coffin reported an ending general fund balance of $40,708,597 and noted that the district maintains a required minimum 3% reserve for economic uncertainty.

Trustees asked several questions about Fund 17 and reserves. Coffin and other staff explained Fund 17 is an assigned reserve that cannot be spent directly; the $6.6 million transfer was set aside in anticipation of bond expenditures and for purposes such as future school start-up costs, bus replacement (including electric buses) and site acquisition and associated costs (appraisals, environmental work). "Fund 17, we're not allowed to spend directly from that fund," Coffin said, describing constraints and intended uses.

After discussion, the board moved and adopted a positive certification for the 1st interim report by roll-call vote and approved a resolution authorizing the budget revisions identified in the interim report. Staff said the 2nd interim will incorporate the governor's January budget proposal and that the district will continue to monitor reserves and engage stakeholders, including unions, if reductions are required.

The vote to adopt positive certification was procedural confirmation of the district’s current fiscal outlook; trustees commended staff for clear presentation and asked for continued transparency on reserves and reserve-use decisions.