Perris Union board certifies positive second interim but warns of multiyear deficits

The Perris Union High School District board on March 11 received a second‑interim financial report that staff certified as positive for the current year while projecting structural shortfalls in future years.

"We are certifying a positive, second interim, stating that we're able to meet our fiscal obligations for the current year and two consecutive years," said Dr. Margaret Williams, assistant superintendent for business services, as she summarized the budget picture and next steps. Williams told trustees the report covers fiscal activity through Jan. 31 and reflects updated enrollment and revenue information.

The presentation listed combined unrestricted and restricted resources at approximately $210,000,000 and general‑fund expenditures of roughly $220,800,000, meaning expenditures currently outpace revenues. Williams said the district’s ending fund balance increased by about $498,000 to $41.8 million and that reserves exceed the state minimum requirement. She warned, however, that multiyear projections show rising structural deficits: roughly $9.4 million projected for 2026–27 and $11.5 million for 2027–28 if no mitigation steps are taken.

Trustees pressed staff on enrollment, Average Daily Attendance (ADA), and whether the Charter/California Military Institute numbers were included. Williams and other staff clarified the figures presented exclude CMI, reported the district enrollment at 10,793 students and an ADA in the low 90s (reported in the presentation as about 90.65% and an ADA around 9,764 students). She said the district is taking a conservative budgeting approach to avoid overestimating revenue from anticipated growth.

Board members asked for immediate follow‑up. Trustee Campos asked about reserve targets and what would be required to preserve services; Williams said the board should consider options ranging from staffing allocations to program cost reviews and that staff will incorporate the governor’s budget revisions and updated LCFF projections into future reports.

The board voted 5–0 to approve the second‑interim financial report and its positive certification. Williams listed near‑term actions: updating enrollment and ADA estimates, identifying strategies to address the structural deficit, reviewing staffing allocations, and continuing the district’s student recovery and attendance efforts.

What happens next: Staff will return with refined projections, a month‑by‑month enrollment update during the open enrollment period, and specific cost‑savings proposals for board review ahead of the adopted budget process.