Natomas Unified board signs off on 2nd interim budget, affirms positive certification

Deputy Superintendent Bill Young presented the district’s 2024–25 2nd interim budget and reported a "positive certification," telling trustees the district can meet its financial obligations this year and for the next two years. He said unrestricted general-fund revenues are being forecast at about $154,000,000 and total revenues (unrestricted plus restricted) at roughly $201,500,000, with unrestricted expenditures projected near $137,000,000 and total expenditures around $212,000,000.

Young outlined key assumptions used in the forecast—an ADA of about 92.64%, an unduplicated pupil percentage near 69.59% that increases supplemental LCFF funding, and a 3% state-mandated reserve (about $6,000,000). He also noted the district includes board-directed transfers for stabilization and one-time investments (major maintenance, athletic-field replacements and property acquisition) that contribute to a near-term projected deficit; Young said the board's prior commitments and the planned transfers support meeting a board policy minimum reserve target of 9%.

Trustees discussed the uncertain COLA environment; Young gave a working forecast in the 2.0–2.6% range for 2025–26 and said final figures will depend on the May revise. After discussion, the Board moved to approve the 2nd interim budget and the accompanying resolution to commit the general fund balance; both measures passed on roll call by a 5–0 vote. "Pleased to report this is a positive certification," Young said during the presentation.