Dixon Unified holds public hearing on proposed 2025-26 budget and adopts EPA resolution to fund certificated salaries

District staff presented the proposed 2025—f-26 budget in a public hearing, describing revenue assumptions, identified expense reductions and the districts path toward a balanced budget. The board also adopted Resolution 25-6753 designating Education Protection Account (EPA) funds to be spent on certificated salaries and benefits.

Budget context and revenue Chief Business Official Joanna Ahola said district staff have been working to reach a balanced budget and reported progress: reductions in position control and operations produced savings (staff cited roughly $1.43 million in position-related savings and nearly $1 million in operations reductions); total reductions since the interim were approximately $1.8 million. Ahola listed new and potential revenue streams: a Community Schools grant (approximately $450,000 total across sites), a Perkins grant ($24,000), and potential awards from the Learning Communities for School Success and Restorative Practices grant applications presented at the meeting (the LCSS request is $376,500; Restorative Practices is $100,000). She also discussed state-level proposals including proposed TK funding and changes to other block grants; staff said they are planning conservatively and will update the board during the 45-day revise and next budget windows.

Expense reductions and reserve picture Ahola described personnel realignments and operational cost reductions and said the district is close to the countys requested two-year reduction target. The proposed budget anticipates some use of one-time carryover and projects a reduced drawdown of reserve compared to previous projections: proposed ending balances improved versus earlier interim forecasts but the district still planned a spend-down of reserves in the 2025—f-26 year, with continued work required to reach a structurally balanced budget.

EPA resolution The board adopted a resolution specifying the district will use Education Protection Account funds for certificated salaries and benefits, consistent with statutory requirements. Staff noted EPA funds will not be used for administrative costs.

Public comment and next steps Public comment on the budget was minimal. Board members asked clarifying questions about COLA assumptions, TK implementation and other revenue assumptions; staff said they will bring local COLA figures and update the budget for the 45-day revise and at interim reviews. The proposed budget will return to the board for adoption at the June 26 meeting; staff will provide required documentation to the county office of education.