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Santa Maria USD accepts 2024–25 audit; plans county waiver after classroom‑spending shortfall
Summary
The board accepted an unmodified audit for the 2024–25 fiscal year that shows a modest net position increase but a classroom‑spending shortfall (46.68% vs. the 50% CEA requirement). District staff said they will submit an exemption application to the county office of education.
The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District board on Jan. 20 accepted the independent audit for the year ending June 30, 2025, receiving unmodified opinions on financial statements and federal and state compliance.
Auditor Coffin told trustees the district ended the year with a net position of "over 187,000,000," with overall revenues just under $200,000,000 and expenditures of approximately $196,900,000. She noted $4,300,000 in one‑time grants remained unspent at year‑end and the district's general fund ending balance has declined by roughly $12,100,000 over the past two years.
The audit included a repeat finding on the current expense allowance (CEA). Coffin reported the district spent 46.68% of current cost of education on classroom compensation — 3.32 percentage points below the 50% threshold required by state reporting. "We ended the year with 46.68% of the current cost of education expended for classroom compensation," the auditor said.
District staff described next steps and a corrective‑action approach: preparing and filing an application for exemption (waiver) with the county office of education by the Sept. 15 deadline for the fiscal year in question. "We intend to submit an application for exemption for the county office of ed review this January," Coffin said. If approved at 100% of the deficiency amount the finding would be considered remedied; partial or denied waivers would require the district to reallocate funds in a subsequent fiscal year.
Board members asked when one‑time funds expire and whether the positions funded by those dollars could be sustained. Staff said timing varies by grant and that some funds expire this coming June while other discretionary block grants extend further; worst‑case options could include layoffs if alternate funding cannot be identified.
The board moved, seconded and adopted the recommendation to accept and file the audit report with the county superintendent of schools.
