Board adopts 45-day budget revision after state budget; general-fund surplus rises

The San Ramon Valley Unified School District board on Tuesday adopted the statutorily required 45-day budget revision after the governor signed the state budget on June 29.

Assistant Superintendent Morales presented the revision and outlined the district-level impact. Morales said the district's "surplus in general fund, grows from 1,800,000 to 25 point to $25,600,000." He told trustees the change reflected roughly $34,800,000 in additional revenue, including higher special-education base funding (the base per student increasing to $1,340), a student support and professional development discretionary block grant estimated at about $930 per ADA (noted as onetime) and other adjustments. Morales said many of the larger increases are on the restricted side of the general fund, and he signaled that special-education remains underfunded despite relief.

Morales recommended several actions for the board’s consideration: restore $1.8 million previously borrowed from Fund 17 back into reserves, reinstate capturing facility-use revenue into Fund 40 to support long-range facilities planning and allocate 50% of the discretionary block grant as one-time funding to reserves to meet a board policy target (Morales said this would move the district's reserves toward a 7% policy target). He also flagged mandated cost increases tied to new paid pregnancy disability leave and MOU-triggered staffing restorations that increase ongoing expenses.

Trustees discussed fund-tracking mechanics for Fund 40, the state's Rainy Day Fund treatment of Prop 98 settle-up dollars and the timing of future budget updates. Trustee Jesse Van Zee moved to adopt Resolution 35/26-27 (45-day revision) and the board approved the motion. Morales said staff will present updated beginning balances in September and the first interim in December when projections firm up.