Woodland Hills board approves tax increase and posts proposed 2025-26 budget after divided votes

The Woodland Hills School District Board of School Directors voted on May 21 to raise the district's tax rate and to approve a proposed final general-fund budget for 2025-26, moves administrators said are needed to close a multi-million-dollar revenue gap.

Board Secretary Jill Regan, who presented the tax and budget analysis, said the district is asking the board to set its millage at the top of the index, a 1.33-mill increase, to stabilize revenue amid falling assessed values and lower-than-budgeted collections. "That means 10,626 taxpayers are paying an average of $6.33 a month; 11,913 taxpayers are paying an average increase of $10.50 a month," Regan said, describing the effect on the typical homeowner by comparing last year's average tax bill to the proposed rate.

Regan told directors the district faced two revenue losses: a roughly $929,000 shortfall between budgeted and actual collections this year and a drop in assessed value that reduced revenue by roughly $736,000. Without the millage increase, Regan said the district would face an additional estimated $2.16 million shortfall; the combined effect, she argued, would leave the district more than $4.2 million behind the prior budget baseline.

Board members debated the items before voting. The tax levy motion passed 6-1. A separate vote to approve the proposed final general fund budget for 2025-26 passed 5-2; the board will advertise the proposed budget and return for final action after the 30-day public review period. The proposed budget will be available for public inspection as required by state law.

Not all directors supported the budget motion. One director said the district needs improved financial transparency before approving major fiscal actions, telling colleagues she had requested financial documents and audit materials that she said were not provided and that she therefore could not make an informed decision; she said she would vote against the budget.

Regan and other administrators also explained several technical elements that affect families: the homestead exclusion, differences among bargaining-unit calendars (Act 93, 183/187/260/211-day work schedules), and that graduation dates and parent-teacher conference dates are labeled "subject to change" to allow the district to meet state-required instructional hours if emergency closures occur.

The board's votes: - Tax levy/millage increase (proposed to top allowable index; increase of 1.33 mills): approved 6-1. - Proposed final general-fund budget for 2025-26 (to be advertised for 30-day public inspection): approved 5-2.

The board president said the proposed budget would be posted and that the board will hold the statutorily required final vote after the public comment period. Administrators cautioned that federal and state funding streams remain uncertain and that ESSER relief dollars have expired, increasing unpredictability for next year.

The board also approved several routine finance motions during the meeting, including bill lists and p-card reports; those passed by majority votes recorded in the minutes.

Directors urged residents with questions about tax or budget impacts to review the proposed budget when it is posted and to bring questions to the upcoming public review period.

Looking ahead, the board will return to finalize the budget after the required public posting and comment window; the millage rate set on May 21 will be used for advertising and the 30-day review process.