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Trustee calls for independent financial review after board sees interim deficit and ADA shortfall
Summary
A trustee asked the board to solicit a third-party forensic financial review citing red flags in interim financials, payroll variances and a $31M interim deficit figure that includes construction fund reassignments; trustees also discussed ADA shortfalls and stipend incentives tied to attendance.
During the workshop, trustees raised detailed budget and staffing concerns and a trustee asked for an independent forensic financial review to verify interim numbers before the board commits to further recurring expenditures.
Administrators outlined the fiscal-year close timeline and an external audit schedule (fieldwork Sept–Oct, final report in November). Trustees noted differences between the proposed 2024–25 budget figures and interim closing numbers presented in June — including a cited $31 million interim deficit that administration characterized as largely construction and fund-balance timing items, but some trustees flagged a potential $14 million variance in instructional payroll costs that needs explanation. Trustees emphasized the need to understand operational versus one-time construction items and asked for a follow-up report that breaks down fund-balance use, construction reserves and recurring operating expenditures.
Trustee Los Santos moved to have an agenda item to solicit independent proposals (RFA/RFP) for a third-party financial review. The chair said the board could add the audit procurement to the next agenda. Administration agreed to return with more detailed numbers and possible sources for any budget adjustments identified.
