Chino Valley Unified board hears public presentation and approves proposed fiscal 2027 budget

Board members opened a public hearing on the district’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget and approved the proposed plan after a staff presentation.

John, the district’s finance presenter, told the board that the Auditor General’s proposed base-level funding would increase per-pupil revenue by 2%, raising the base from $5,113 to roughly $5,215 per student in the proposed figures. He said those per-pupil increases are reflected in the package but noted the numbers are proposed and subject to final state action.

The proposed operating budget for the district is approximately $18.9 million for 2027, down about $500,000 from the $19.4 million reported for the current year. John attributed the decrease primarily to projected lower enrollment, the district’s projected carry-forward (he estimated roughly $650,000) and a smaller transfer in from the capital fund (proposed at about $550,000). He also reviewed restricted funding streams, including planned spending from the School Facilities Board (fund 691) and ongoing Del Rio HVAC and weatherization projects.

Board discussion recapped those drivers and the timeline: district staff plans to publish the Truth in Tax notice in late June and expects to bring a formal adoption hearing on July 13. Administrators emphasized that final budget figures will not be confirmed until state counts and final membership are certified (typically by late winter) and that the proposed increase in per-pupil funding is not a guarantee until state action is finalized.

A motion to approve the fiscal year 2027 proposed budget was made and affirmed by the board. The superintendent and business office will return with the published Truth in Tax notice and move forward with the adoption hearing schedule.

The board’s action at the meeting approved the proposed budget as the document to be posted and advanced to the formal adoption steps.