Lodi Board approves 2026–27 budget with 4.5% levy after heated debate; two trustees dissent

The Lodi Board of Education approved its final 2026–27 budget on March 30 after extended discussion over rising benefit costs, declining state aid and how reserves should be used.

Mr. Lam, the district’s business administrator and board secretary, told the board that state aid was cut by $1,259,000 and that salary and benefits increases are running about $3.8 million. He said the administration estimated a conservative 20% drop in some federal grants and proposed a 4.5% tax levy increase, which he estimated would add roughly $288 annually to the owner of a home assessed at $323,700. “State aid was cut by $1,259,000,” Mr. Lam said during his overview, and he emphasized that withdrawals from capital reserve can only fund capital projects and not the operating budget.

Superintendent Mr. D’Amico framed the increase as the result of factors largely outside the district’s control, including a recent spike in health-benefit costs and contractual salary increases. He said the administration trimmed supplies, professional-development allocations and certain tuition estimates and sought savings through attrition rather than teacher layoffs.

Several trustees pressed for detail. One trustee said the district’s overall budget has risen markedly in recent years and asked why large balances remain in capital accounts while taxpayers face higher levies. That trustee also questioned the practice of reserving large sums rather than deploying them for current needs. Mr. Lam responded that the proposed capital-reserve withdrawal was pared from an earlier $4.5 million proposal to $2.5 million and that the $300,000 maintenance-reserve withdrawal would support operating maintenance costs.

When the board took roll call on the final budget resolution (B1), the motion passed with six yes votes and two no votes; trustees Mastrofilippo and Ramos were recorded as voting no on B1 and yes on the related B2 resolution. Miss Cardone presided over the vote. The meeting record shows the board also approved related procedural items (B2) covering staff travel and policy as part of the package.

What this means: The board adopted a budget that the administration says balances fiscal pressures with a desire to protect core educational programs and safety measures. Trustees who opposed the measure cited large multi‑year increases in the budget and questioned the amount left in reserves; supporters said the package reflected unavoidable cost drivers and careful reductions.

The next steps: With the board’s vote, the district will finalize the budget documents and continue implementation steps outlined by the administration. Further line‑item questions raised by trustees were addressed by the business office and remain available to board members upon request.