El Sol Academy · Budget Explorer

What would a new Collective Bargaining Agreement mean for El Sol's budget?

This tool is designed to be a fact-based estimate of the impact of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (union contract) on El Sol. It is not an official document and is not endorsed by El Sol Academy, its board, or its auditors. This is the sole work of an El Sol parent with the goal of making this information more accessible.

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Collective bargaining agreement
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Revised 2026-27 outcome
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Year-by-year overview

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SY 24-25
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SY 25-26
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SY 26-27
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Detailed Financials

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What does "below FCMAT" mean?
FCMAT (Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team) is California's state-designated school finance oversight body. Among its 15 "Indicators of Risk" for school agencies is cash reserves below 30 days of operating expenses. A "below FCMAT" tag in this tool means the projected days-of-cash figure falls under that 30-day threshold. It does not automatically mean fiscal distress, but it is a recognized warning sign that the state monitors. FCMAT.
Why do days of cash matter?
California has periodically delayed payments to school districts during state budget shortfalls, requiring schools to operate using cash reserves to meet payroll and vendor obligations. In 2010-11, the state deferred $2.5 billion in revenue limit apportionment to local educational agencies. In 2011-12, $1.4 billion was deferred in July and August alone. The 2025-26 enacted state budget includes $1.9 billion in Proposition 98 General Fund payments deferred from 2025-26 to 2026-27 (LAO Fiscal Outlook, November 2025). FCMAT identifies fewer than 30 days of cash on hand as an Indicator of Risk. Charter schools, unlike districts, cannot easily issue Tax Revenue Anticipation Notes to bridge cash gaps and must rely on reserves to weather deferrals.
What is LCFF growth and how is it determined?
LCFF stands for Local Control Funding Formula — California's primary school funding formula, established by AB 97 in 2013. Year-over-year LCFF growth comes from two factors: statutory cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) set by the state, and changes in average daily attendance (ADA). The funded statutory COLA was 2.30% for 2025-26. For 2026-27, the Governor's January estimate was 2.41% and School Services of California's April update projected 2.87%. El Sol's 2026-27 draft budget assumes roughly 1.8% LCFF growth. CDE LCFF COLA history.
What counts as "Extracurriculars" in this tool?
The extracurriculars slider adjusts discretionary student enrichment line items from El Sol's 2026-27 draft budget: field trips and pupil transportation ($127,447), other student instructional services ($5,500), PE and sports equipment ($4,200), before/after school program supplies ($1,000), and after-school services ($3,825). It does not include restricted-funded programs (Prop 28 Arts/Music, Expanded Learning Opportunities Program/ELOP, After School Education and Safety/ASES) because those cannot be reallocated to other uses. Source: El Sol 2026-27 Draft Budget (May 14, 2026 board packet).
How is the healthcare cost estimated?
Current healthcare cost per FTE in this tool is derived from El Sol's Health & Welfare budget line ($890,859 in 2025-26) divided by approximately 77 benefit-eligible FTE, yielding ~$11,570/FTE. The "100% coverage of family health benefits" toggles add an estimated $21,430 per FTE, calculated as a $33,000/year family premium (Kaiser HMO Gold tier, California Small Group rate benchmark) less the current $11,570 employer contribution. As of May 2026, Sacramento City Unified School District — which provides 100% employer-paid healthcare to its employees, costing approximately $108 million annually — has finalized 503 layoffs, faces an estimated $170 million deficit, and is at risk of state receivership; FCMAT projected the district could run out of cash by February 2027 absent further intervention (CapRadio, May 8, 2026).
How is retroactive pay treated?
If "Apply retroactively to SY 25-26" is checked, the raise is treated as having applied to all of 25-26 — the cost is recognized in that year's income statement (lowering net income). But the cash payment is made as a lump sum at the start of 26-27, which is why 25-26 cash doesn't drop but 26-27 cash takes a double hit (the retro lump sum plus the ongoing 26-27 cost).
Are these projections official?
No. This tool uses El Sol's publicly available board materials (May 2026 board packet) to let parents and community members explore scenarios. It is not endorsed by El Sol Academy, its board, or its auditors.