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Wiseburn budget presentation flags 4.31% augmented COLA, potential employer mandate and special education uplift
Summary
At the June 9 budget hearing the district presented an adopted budget aligned with the LCAP, noting a statutory 2.87% COLA plus a 1.44% LCFF augmentation (4.31% combined) that may be tied to a proposed paid pregnancy leave employers could be required to fund; staff projected a conservative special education funding increase and signaled a possible deficit and multi-year budget monitoring.
District finance staff presented the 2026–27 adopted budget at a public hearing June 9 and answered trustees’ questions about assumptions, state actions that could impose local costs and multi-year projections.
Budget presenter Muda Aros told the board the state proposed a 2.87% statutory cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) plus an additional 1.44% LCFF investment. ‘‘This is a 2.87% statutory cola ... there’s also an additional 1.44% LCFF investment, which brings us to a 4.31 ... augmented cola for the 26–27 fiscal year,’’ Aros said, but added that the augmentation comes with ‘‘strings attached’’ if the state approves a new 14-week paid pregnancy disability leave that districts would be expected to help fund.
Trustees pressed staff on whether the additional funding fully covers new employer obligations, payroll substitutes and other implementation costs. Aros and staff said they are budgeting conservatively and plan further scenario analyses, including first-interim updates and a possible 45-day revision after the state budget finalizes.
Staff also noted a statewide increase in special education funding: the base rate per ADA has been lifted to $1,340; the district used a conservative 30% projection in the adopted budget but said figures could be adjusted at interim reports.
The presentation reviewed general fund unrestricted revenues (LCFF ~ $29.7M estimated actuals; adopted budget projected ~ $30.8M with the augmentation), multi-year projections to maintain positive certification and a required 3% unrestricted reserve. Staff discussed local funds (ASB, child nutrition, preschool enterprise fund) and one-time items such as a possible OPEB/OPE trust discussion in summer budget committee meetings.
Trustees approved the consent and fiscal items later in the meeting, and staff said they will return with refined numbers for first interim and additional budget-committee work over the summer.
