Board approves positive certification of Coronado Unified second interim budget despite projected multi-year deficit
March 12, 2026 | Coronado Unified, School Districts, California
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The Coronado Unified School District Governing Board voted to authorize a positive certification for the district's second interim budget for the period ending Jan. 31, after a detailed presentation on revenues, expenditures and multi-year projections.
Deputy Superintendent Donnie Salamanca outlined the general fund overview: roughly a $50 million operating fund, an increase in other state revenues of about $250,000 related to award letters and new grants, and an increase in general-fund expenditures of about $340,000 (largely in certificated salaries to cover employee leaves). He said the district's budget projections include a conservative assumption of half of a proposed one-time discretionary block grant (about $600,000 of an estimated $1.2 million) for planning purposes.
Salamanca told trustees the district will transition to a basic-aid funding structure in the coming year and noted that industry practice recommends a much larger reserve than the state's 3% minimum. "A 3% minimum reserve is $1,700,000," he said; best practice to smooth basic-aid cash flows would be closer to 17% (about $9.7 million). Staff projected a structural deficit that could grow to roughly $9,000,000 across 2026–28 if not mitigated through enrollment or staffing decisions.
Board members asked about cash-flow changes under basic aid, eligibility for federal Impact Aid (Salamanca confirmed continued eligibility with federal survey cards), and the timeline for further budget work. Salamanca said staff will submit the certification to the San Diego County Office of Education for validation and incorporate May revise and June budget-adoption updates as they become available.
By approving a positive certification, the board signaled that staff expect the district can meet its financial obligations for the current and two subsequent fiscal years, while recognizing the need for policy choices and oversight to address the structural gap.
Deputy Superintendent Donnie Salamanca outlined the general fund overview: roughly a $50 million operating fund, an increase in other state revenues of about $250,000 related to award letters and new grants, and an increase in general-fund expenditures of about $340,000 (largely in certificated salaries to cover employee leaves). He said the district's budget projections include a conservative assumption of half of a proposed one-time discretionary block grant (about $600,000 of an estimated $1.2 million) for planning purposes.
Salamanca told trustees the district will transition to a basic-aid funding structure in the coming year and noted that industry practice recommends a much larger reserve than the state's 3% minimum. "A 3% minimum reserve is $1,700,000," he said; best practice to smooth basic-aid cash flows would be closer to 17% (about $9.7 million). Staff projected a structural deficit that could grow to roughly $9,000,000 across 2026–28 if not mitigated through enrollment or staffing decisions.
Board members asked about cash-flow changes under basic aid, eligibility for federal Impact Aid (Salamanca confirmed continued eligibility with federal survey cards), and the timeline for further budget work. Salamanca said staff will submit the certification to the San Diego County Office of Education for validation and incorporate May revise and June budget-adoption updates as they become available.
By approving a positive certification, the board signaled that staff expect the district can meet its financial obligations for the current and two subsequent fiscal years, while recognizing the need for policy choices and oversight to address the structural gap.
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