With its budget problems closing in, the Sacramento City Unified school board on Thursday signed off on layoffs and furlough days in a bid to keep control of the district’s finances and avoid a state takeover. Trustees framed the move as a last resort meant to keep decisions in local hands rather than in Sacramento or Sacramento County offices, according to ABC10.
The board approved the cuts at a special meeting, setting in motion painful belt‑tightening across administration and non‑classroom work, as reported by ABC10. District leaders said they hope trimming central operations now will be enough to keep the state from stepping in later.
How Big the Shortfall Is
The district’s unaudited 2024–25 books revealed an unexpected shortfall of roughly $43 million, according to Sacramento City Unified. An independent review cited in local coverage put the current‑year gap closer to $51 million and warned it could swell to about $125 million by the 2027–28 school year, as reported by KCRA.
How a State Takeover Could Happen
The Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, which monitors school district fiscal health statewide, uses a set of financial indicators to flag when county or state oversight may be needed, FCMAT explains. If a district cannot meet legally required reserves or simply runs out of cash, the state can move to receivership, a process that strips local officials of financial control so outside managers can stabilize operations.
What This Means for Classrooms and Staff
The district’s fiscal‑solvency plan calls for a hiring freeze in non‑classroom positions, targeted staffing changes and a review of programs and contracts that is intended to shield core instructional services, according to Sacramento City Unified. District leaders say they aim to protect school sites and classroom staff as much as possible while looking for savings in central office and support roles.
Next Steps and Local Reaction
The Sacramento County Office of Education and FCMAT are now working alongside the district, and local reporting has warned that cash could run out by June if the shortfall is not closed, KCRA reported. FCMAT CEO Michael Fine told the board the situation amounted to “a crisis of leadership and a crisis of integrity,” and some principals and union leaders pushed back on plans that would steer more cuts away from classrooms, KCRA added…