Plumas County, Calif. – Plumas Unified School District is preparing for staff layoffs following a significant financial deficit, as announced by district officials.
Acting Superintendent Jim Frost revealed in a memo that the district, previously funded under the local control funding formula, experienced a substantial decrease in enrollment by approximately 200 students during the pandemic. This funding model provided state assistance based on student numbers.
In response, the district utilized one-time state and federal grants to expand its workforce and implement a 13% salary increase for employees. However, with the decline in enrollment, the state has withdrawn approximately $3 million that had been allocated for the 2024/25 fiscal year.
Having transitioned to a locally funded district, Plumas Unified now faces financial constraints. Currently, 15% of the district’s budget is allocated to fixed expenses, such as utilities and fuel, while the remaining 85% covers programs and staff.
Frost indicated that staff layoffs are unavoidable, though the specific number of affected employees has not been disclosed.
