The Solana Beach School Board District approved its budget for the 2024-25 school year on June 20, making room for new student initiatives such as the launch of Jumpstart, an early childhood education program for four-year-olds.

The district will start the $564,000 transitional kindergarten program in the fall with prioritization for enrollment given to students who qualify for free/reduced meals, those who are experiencing housing instability, foster youth and English language learners. The cost includes staffing and materials for two classrooms and start-up expenses like furniture, curriculum and professional learning for teachers.

On the expenditures side, the approved budget also includes the 3.5% salary increase approved for staff, new positions in the restructured instructional services department and a new position of a district environmental stewardship coordinator, partially funded through the Solana Beach Schools Foundation. According to a draft job description, the new coordinator will help develop districtwide programs in environmental stewardship and climate literacy across all grade levels. The position also aims to integrate service learning and civic engagement opportunities for students, a piece the board was most excited about.

According to Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Mark Pong, the budget is balanced on the unrestricted funds side with a $2.3 million deficit on the restricted side as the district spends down one-time state funds. Per the approved budget, the district will carry a reserve of $17.9 million.

The budget was the last one prepared by Pong as he is leaving for an assistant superintendent position in the Chula Vista Elementary School District. Before joining Solana Beach in 2022, he was the Del Mar Union School District’s director of finance for 11 years.

The board remarked that the district benefited from his time in the district, “I wish we could’ve kept you, I know they’re very excited to have you,” said board President Debra Schade.