Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Lodi Board reviews tentative 2026–27 budget as health-benefit spike and state aid cut squeeze finances; no approval
Summary
At a March 18 special meeting, Lodi School District leaders presented a tentative 2026–27 budget that administrators say is driven by a health-benefit increase (roughly $2.6M–$2.7M) and a state-aid reduction (~$1.2M–$1.25M). Board members questioned capital projects bundled into a $4.5M withdrawal from capital reserve; the board made no motion to approve the budget and adjourned without action.
The Lodi Board of Education on March 18 reviewed a tentative 2026–27 budget that administrators said is strained by a large health-benefit cost spike and a recent cut in state aid, but the board did not vote on the proposal and adjourned without approving the budget.
Superintendent Mister D'Amico told the board the budget aims to “provide a comprehensive educational program” while coping with a health-benefit increase and a reduction in state aid. "A health benefit increase of over 30%, which approximately, adds up to $2,600,000 in increases," he said, and warned that the district must weigh program impacts against fiscal constraints. He also said the district plans to expand full-day pre-K for three-year-olds through partnerships with private providers, serving an additional 45 students.
Business administrator Mister Lam gave a revenue overview and said the district learned last week of a state-aid reduction he described as roughly $1,250,000, a near 3% cut. "We got a 3% cut in our state aid," Lam said, and outlined that the budget uses about $2,000,000 of…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
