Dysart Unified adopts revised 2025–26 expenditure budget after public hearing

The Dysart Unified School District governing board held a public hearing and approved a revised expenditure budget for fiscal year 2025–26 that incorporates state funding changes, updated reporting requirements and carry-forward adjustments.

At the hearing, Marydell Spadell, a district staff member presenting the revision, said the district adopted its budget by the July 15 deadline and is filing a revision to meet a state September 15 deadline after the legislature completed action and issued new budget forms. Spadell said, "the base level change went up 2%... so that is the per pupil funding we received," and gave the updated per-pupil figure the district recorded in the forms.

The revision incorporates three main legislative-driven changes: a 2% increase to the base per-pupil amount (presented in the meeting materials as $5,001.13 per pupil), the end of Prop 123 funding replaced by supplemental state general fund support with an estimated $1.5 million to the district, and approximately $1.3 million tied to free and reduced-price lunch (FRPL) and district additional assistance. Spadell told the board these state supplemental funds were included in the district's maintenance and operations fund.

Spadell explained a new state-required line on the updated forms that separately lists budgeted carry-forward. That presentation change makes some program line items appear smaller than in the originally adopted budget even though those programs remain funded. She said the district maintains a board-adopted minimum reserve of 4% of the budget limit and that the revision reflects the minimum carry-forward presentation rather than any reduction in program support.

Capital and project changes were also included: the district carried forward approximately $800,000 in unfinished or unreceived equipment and projects into the unrestricted capital fund, and the Emergency Building Renewal Grant fund was updated to about $3.6 million, largely to reflect two state-approved projects — a Kingswood roofing replacement and Marley Park chiller replacements. Spadell said classroom site fund carry-forward decreased because of updated encumbrance accounting tied to performance pay, and federal grant funds were updated pending final state allocations and carry-forward reconciliation.

Following the presentation, the board moved to approve the revised expenditure budget. A board motion to "approve the 2025–26 revised expenditure budget" was seconded and the chair stated "Motion carries," approving the revision.

The board voted on the agenda and on the consent agenda earlier in the meeting; both motions were approved without further substantive debate. The board did not record roll-call vote tallies in the public transcript excerpt.

The district said it will continue to post detailed reports, including the annual financial report and comprehensive budget materials, to its budget website for public review and will present another revision in December after final state grant allocations are received.

Votes at a glance: the board approved the meeting agenda as presented; approved the consent agenda; and approved the FY 2025–26 revised expenditure budget as presented (motion seconded; outcome recorded as "Motion carries").