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Committee hears staffing steady but fund balance remains below 8% policy floor
Summary
Staff said the proposed budget holds current staffing levels and shows modest changes in FTEs (709 to 703), but the district’s budgetary fund balance remains below the 8% policy floor (4.9% last year) and rebuilding to policy will take multiple years.
Stuart and Margaret emphasized that the proposed 2026–27 budget is built to maintain current staffing levels while accounting for salary inflation and PERS changes. Stuart said the general‑fund budget includes about 709 positions this year and a proposed 703 for next year; Margaret noted salary assumptions and a 3.25% COLA are baked into the numbers.
On reserves, staff confirmed the district ended the previous year below its 8% policy floor (4.9% last year) and that closing the gap toward policy would take several years without major revenue changes. "We are below the minimum floor, 4.9% last year," Stuart said; staff estimated any fund‑balance draw this fiscal year would likely be under $500,000 but cautioned final figures await year‑end closing.
