Budget Review Committee urges staffing adjustments and 15–20% reserve amid funding pressures

Kate Skurdenhorn and Kimberly Fletcher, representing the Budget Review Committee, presented the committee’s 2026 recommendations to the Los Altos School District board, flagging several budget pressures and recommending continued staffing adjustments and a strong reserve policy.

The committee noted financial strains from an in-lieu payment to Bliss Charter and ongoing underfunding of programs such as transitional kindergarten, expanded learning opportunities programs (ELOP), and universal meals. As a strategy to preserve long-term fiscal stability it recommended maintaining a 15–20% general reserve and continuing a thoughtful process of staffing reductions to right-size operations.

Board members were invited to review the committee’s full document, which was included in meeting attachments. No public comment was received during the committee report; board members thanked participants for their work and asked clarifying questions.

Next steps: trustees will review the draft budget and the committee’s recommendations during upcoming budget discussions and study sessions; staff and the committee will provide follow-up as budget development continues.