Bellflower Unified presents 2026-27 proposed budget; staff projects $9'$10M deficit spend without negotiated settlements

Chief Business Officer (Ms. Arcus) presented the district's proposed 2026-27 budget and the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) during the public hearing.

Arcus said the district is using conservative multiyear assumptions (including a ~3% per-year enrollment decline assumption for planning) and is currently projecting a funded ADA of roughly 9,300 students. She highlighted a projected COLA of 4.31% included in the budget assumption and explained that state one-time block grant estimates have been incorporated into restricted funds. "We are using an enrollment protection to decline of approximately 3% annually," Arcus said.

Staff projected an ending fund balance at about $55,000,000 in the proposed budget column, dropping to roughly $30,000,000 in later years under current assumptions; Arcus said this reflects spending patterns, capital-project timing and incorporation of anticipated one-time funds. The presentation flagged a deficit spend in the $9'$10 million range, noting that labor-negotiation impacts were not yet included and will be reflected at the board's June 18 adoption when staff brings AB 1200 information and the impact of negotiations for certification.

Board members pressed staff on specific items, including the Mayfair field capital costs (staff said about $20 million of field-related costs were being handled across fiscal years, with approximately $10 million reflected in the next year and other funding sources covering the remainder) and how a 1% change in ADA affects revenue (Arcus said roughly $1 million per 1% ADA). Arcus said staff will return with updated numbers as negotiations and state budget actions become final.