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Superintendent warns governor's proposal and enrollment decline strain district finances
Summary
Superintendent Michelle Townsend briefed trustees on the governor's budget outlook, modest LCFF increases, a reduced COLA and steady federal funds while highlighting steep special‑education costs and long‑term enrollment declines that drive deficits.
Superintendent Michelle Townsend summarized the governor’s budget workshop and the likely implications for Bass Lake: modest LCFF increases (the district’s projected LCFF in the governor’s proposal was read as $11,134,747), a slightly reduced COLA in the governor’s proposal (2.41% vs. an earlier 2.51%), and concern that a proposed state set‑aside could reallocate Prop 98 funding.
Townsend emphasized special‑education cost pressures: she cited a cost per student with disabilities of about $25,406 compared with roughly $11,000 of funding the district receives per such student, noting that the district currently contributes a significant general‑fund share for special ed. She also described multi‑year enrollment declines — roughly 100 students over five years — and the impact that lower ADA has on per‑pupil funding and COLA effectiveness.
Trustees used the presentation to ask whether categories that drive projected shortfalls are restricted funds; staff answered that special‑education and certain facilities maintenance funds are restricted and that exceeding those restricted buckets would require general‑fund contributions. Townsend said the district plans for step‑and‑column increases, STRS/PERS rises and the possibility that one‑time funds may provide temporary relief but cannot be counted on for ongoing staffing.
