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Lodi board votes to renew $5.98 million operational referendum to preserve staff, programs
Summary
The Lodi School District board voted unanimously to place a five‑year, $5.98 million non‑recurring operational referendum on the November ballot to maintain staff, programs and modest IT projects, including a market‑adjustment plan for certified and support staff.
The Lodi School District board approved a five‑year, $5.98 million non‑recurring operational referendum after extended discussion about staff pay, program maintenance and capital trade‑offs.
Superintendent Dr. Stein told the board that the district relies on operational referenda to sustain smaller class sizes, interventions and extracurricular programs introduced after the district’s 2022 referendum. He said the proposed package would fund staff compensation increases, modest IT work and continued investments in the district’s Fund 41 for capital needs.
Board members debated how much of the referendum should go to staff market adjustments versus capital projects. One board member described the plan to lift certified staff to a 90% market benchmark and raise support‑staff wages as a multi‑year commitment: "If the board puts this in the referendum and the community supports this, . . . when we issued contracts next year, everybody would be at 90% or above," the administration explained.
After discussion the board member moved the resolution authorizing a five‑year $5.98 million operational question that includes a $151,000 IT set‑aside and market adjustments for certified and support staff; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll‑call vote, 7–0. Board members said they will return in July with formal ballot language and continue community information sessions and a FAQ document.
What happens next: the board will finalize ballot language at a July meeting, continue community engagement and include program and compensation details in outreach materials. The measure would appear on the November ballot if the board proceeds as planned.
Why it mattered: Board members said renewing operational funding is necessary to maintain programs and staff after prior referenda helped expand services. Supporters emphasized preserving classroom staffing and student supports; some members noted reduced capital capacity if operations consume the same revenue stream.
