Overview
Building the district budget is a year-round event, beginning in November with enrollment projections, and ending in October when the district and school sites must revise budgets. All activities are influenced by the state budget process, budget constraints which may vary from year to year, and changes in employee compensation.
- Enrollment projections for next school year are provided
- Budget Department provides best estimate of revenues
- Enrollment projections drive allocations
- Categorical funds are allocated
- Budget workbooks are developed by Budget Department
- Start of state’s budget process. Governor releases state budget document.
- District gets first look at revenues
- State legislature begins budget process
- Budget workbooks are released to schools and central offices
- Schools /central offices complete budgets
- Budget workbooks returned to Budget Office
- Budget Department combines school site and central office submissions to build overall district budget
- Governor’s office issues “May Revise” budget – includes better indication of state revenues for the following year
- Budget Department revises district budget
- Legislature continues budget discussion
- Legislature continues budget discussion
- San Diego Unified Board of Education must pass a budget by June 30 of each year, as per state law
- Targeted date for the governor to sign the state budget is June 30 of each year
- Final state budget will inform district what revenues to expect for the year
- Central offices and schools revise budgets
Related Resources
SDUSD Resources
- California Department of Finance

The Department of Finance provides budget information and monthly updates on the state's financial situation as part of the Governor's Cabinet. Both the Governor's budget proposal in January and the revised information in May are available at this site for download and viewing. - State Budget FAQs related to Education Funding

This link will take you directly to the questions related to education funding on the list of Budget FAQs provided by the Department of Finance.

