Message from the Superintendent: 2026-2027 Budget Update
2026-2027 Budget Update
Over the past four months, the Bass Lake Joint Union Elementary School District (BLSD) has worked to navigate a projected fiscal shortfall of $800,000 – $850,000. After exhausting all alternatives, the decision was made to make necessary staff reductions along with other budget reductions. The school board trustees along with the superintendent are focused on ensuring our schools remain stable and continue to provide high-quality education. We hope to offer some clarity by providing the information below.
Our Core Priorities
The Board of Trustees and the Superintendent remain firmly dedicated to maintaining small class sizes. Our primary goal is to protect the integrity of single grade general education classrooms. Multi grade (combo) classes will only be created if absolutely necessary due to significantly low enrollment in a specific grade level at a specific site.
The Fiscal Reality
This budget shortfall is driven by external factors beyond the District's control:
State Funding Gap: A $5.6 billion statewide budget "hold back" equates to approximately $900 less per student for our schools. This is money we cannot plan for in our budget.
Utilization of Reserves: Over the last several years, the District has reached into its reserve funds to cover negotiated raises and avoid budget cuts. According to the Multi Year Projection without reductions, we will fall below the State mandated 4% reserve.
Expiring Funds: One-time COVID funds, Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant emergency funds, and other discretionary grants previously used for positions and raises have reached their end.
Rising Costs: Sharp increases in utilities, fuel, legal, and liabilities.
Declining Enrollment: Fewer students results in a reduction of state provided revenue.
Evaluation of Teacher Recommendations
District management and the Board of Trustees carefully considered the suggestions provided by the Bass Lake Teachers Association. We value this partnership and would like to share why certain measures were not feasible or are already being addressed:
Technology & Curriculum: We audit Chromebook apps annually for savings. Funds for SEL Curriculum are legally restricted to materials and cannot be transferred to cover salaries.
Legal Constraints: Per State EdCode, schools cannot charge fees for field trips or supplies. Regarding selling unused portables, because restricted funds were used for their purchase, the District may need to return the funds recouped by the sale of the portables because they were purchased with COVID and developer fee funds. The recouped portion of the funds used from developer fees would go back into that “restricted bucket of money”. Developer funds can not be used for salaries.
Administrative Salaries: We acknowledge concerns regarding administrative compensation. The District’s goal is to maintain competitive compensation for all staff to ensure operational stability. As with other employees, the District is limited under the law with making unilateral changes to administrator salaries or to their work year.
Student Services: Busing remains essential. In our rural district, 73% of our students are socioeconomically disadvantaged; removing transportation would create significant barriers for families and worsen chronic absenteeism.
Other Ideas: Professional development has already been significantly reduced and is largely paid for out of restricted funding. While automated thermostats are being explored, the upfront cost is currently prohibitive. We are continue to work towards optimizing substitute scheduling and have determined the Educational Programs Specialist remains vital to our core operations and student programs.
Our Path Forward - 2026/27
Operational Savings: We are reducing supply and service budgets by a combined $255,000.
Classified Staff Impact: To meet the necessary budget targets, the District unfortunately had to make some difficult adjustments to classified support. This resulted in the layoff of two part-time (4 hrs each) positions and a slight reduction in hours for two other positions. We deeply value these employees and did not take these steps lightly; these decisions were made only after all other operational savings were exhausted.
School Psychology Services: To address the fiscal shortfall through attrition, the District will move from three school psychologists to two for the upcoming year. Following a resignation, we will not be backfilling that position. Our remaining team will continue to prioritize essential student services.
Staffing Integrity: No classroom teachers are losing their jobs due to a "Reduction in Force." All certificated staffing reductions are being achieved through natural attrition (not filling vacancies created by retirements or resignations where possible). By managing our staff this way, we can continue to fulfill our commitment to small class sizes and our goal of avoiding general education combination (multi-grade) classes whenever possible.
Physical Education: PE is not being eliminated. Specialized PE teachers were first hired in 2021/22; prior to that, classroom teachers taught PE. All classroom teachers who hold a multiple-subject credential are qualified to teach PE. We are implementing a partial return to this model since the District has retained two of the three PE teachers.The District will provide curriculum and supplies to support and ensure all state standards and required minutes are met with fidelity.
Looking Ahead
By taking these proactive steps now, the District ensures we remain fiscally solvent and can begin to rebuild our mandated reserves to more sustainable levels. This fiscal stability is what allows us to protect our core programs for our students.
We appreciate your partnership as we work through these challenges. If the Governor’s May Budget Revision shows increased revenue, the Board is open to reviewing the possibility of restoring positions.
For more information: Call 559-642-1555 or visit the District website. Budget reports and Board presentations (linked within the original meeting agendas) are available online for public review.
Sincerely,
Michelle Townsend
Superintendent, Bass Lake Joint Union Elementary School District