Concord School District holds budget public hearing; residents urge trust-fund spending for facilities

The Concord School District held a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget during which district staff outlined a $111 million general-fund proposal, and two residents urged the board to use expendable trust funds for building repairs instead of raising taxes.

The district presentation, given by Mister Dunn, described total proposed expenditures across funds — including a Career and Technical Regional Center (CRTC) trust of $21,056,008.79 — and focused on a $111,000,005.74 general fund that the presenter said is roughly 2.84% higher than the prior year. Dunn said the increase is driven primarily by salaries, benefits and debt service, and that the net effect of staffing changes — including a 4.5-teacher reduction, a 7.37 support-staff reduction, and 3.6 added full-time-equivalent positions — is a net personnel reduction and…