The Sacramento City Unified School District announced at its Sept. 13 meeting that it had spent $43 million more than previously budgeted during the 2024-25 school year.

The district attributed the deficit due to unforeseen year-end payments for salaries, books and supplies, contracts, special education and maintenance.

During the report, Janea Marking, the district’s chief business and operations officer, said projections show Sac Unified will fall below the state-required 2% reserve in the current school year, as well as 2026-27 and 2027-28. As a result, the district will be at risk of intervention by the Sacramento County Office of Education and could lose budget authority and face possible program reductions. Community members and district employees fear financial cuts.

Brian Heap,

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