Berkeley board approves unaudited financials and budget update

What happened

The Berkeley Board of Education approved the district’s 2025–26 unaudited actuals and 2026–27 budget update. The district reported meeting the state-required 3% reserve, while its unrestricted general-fund ending balance was $1.8 million below projection and its LCAP had an $8 million unspent balance.

Why it matters to families

The approved figures provide a clearer picture of district finances and indicate less unrestricted cash than projected, even though the district met the minimum state reserve requirement. The LCAP balance also affects how planned restricted-program funds can be carried forward or reprioritized.

The evidence

The September 16 board presentation reported a 3% state-required reserve, an unrestricted general-fund ending balance $1.8 million below projection, and an $8 million unspent LCAP balance; the board then approved the unaudited actuals and budget update.

The source