The Lucerne Valley Unified School District is in solid financial shape, has higher than needed reserves but “must remain prudent” in its spending to ensure the district is able to continue building on its momentum towards academic excellence.
That’s the conclusion of the First Interim Report for the 2025-26 school year, which was presented and subsequently passed during the December 11th meeting of the district’s Board of Trustees.
Helping the district meet its financial obligations are one-time funds from the State infused into the district’s budget, said Assistant Superintendent of Business Olga Fisher. Also, some services and operating expenses, as well as capital outlay, have been reduced to main an acceptable level of expenditures for continued academic excellence.
While the District is only required to maintain a 3% reserve, the LVUSD has an 8% reserve, which is recommended by San Bernardino County Schools.
Ms. Fisher’s report, which was assisted by staff member Lori Herriman, included a summary of changes to the general fund portion of the budget, the fund balance, a multi-year projection of the district’s financial condition through June 30, 2028, and a summary and recommendations regarding financial issues over the next three years.
The projected budget of $29,021,543 was slightly above the adopted figure of $28.7 million. The increase was during an increased allocation of a one-time state block grant. Meanwhile, local revenue decreased from just over $6 million to $5,632,268.
Projected expenditures are set to decrease modestly from the adopted budget of $30,326,942 to $30,105,203 of the First Interim.
The ending balance is projected to be $7.1 million.
Ms. Fisher’s report also provides a three-year projection, as required by the state. Revenues are projected to be $29.1 million for 2025-26, $30.3 million for 2026-27 and $31.4 million for 2027-28.