Oakdale Joint Unified adopts 2026–27 budget amid enrollment decline and state funding changes

The Oakdale Joint Unified School District board on the evening adopted the district's 2026'27 annual budget after a 30+ minute presentation from district finance staff.

Cassandra Booth, presenting the budget, told trustees the district continues to experience declining enrollment (43 fewer students year over year) and small drops in several student groups, including economically disadvantaged students (down 1.9%), English learners (down 1.5%) and foster youth (down 2%). Booth said the district receives significantly less LCFF/local revenue than most neighboring unified districts and noted that if OJUSD received the local average it would receive roughly $7.88 million more annually.

Booth outlined changes in the state May Revise that affect the budget, including a 2.87% LCFF cost‑of‑living adjustment and an LCFF augmentation tied to ADA; she said the governor also proposed 14 weeks of paid pregnancy disability leave, which the district factored into staffing costs by averaging historical disability leave usage. Booth said the district's funded ADA three‑year average was used in projections and that federal and local revenues were held flat after removing one‑time funds.

The chief presenter said district spending remains concentrated on employee salaries (about 78.4% of total expenditures), with Oakdale spending a higher share on certificated salaries and direct instruction than comparable districts. Booth said the district had factored in new positions tied to student needs (an additional RSP/resource specialist teacher and a speech and language pathologist) and rising utilities and property liability insurance costs.

Using a multi‑year projection that assumed a 1% annual enrollment decline and status quo staffing, Booth said the district's unrestricted fund showed a modest deficit of about $600,000 for 2026'7, while the unassigned reserve remained at roughly 9%. She warned that the district's finances are sensitive to statewide capital gains revenue and that a downturn would affect available funds.

Trustees moved and approved the budget as presented. Booth said the district would post the budget book online and bring updated actuals for 2025'26 and a first look at 2026'27 in December.

The board also adopted a related resolution authorizing interfund transfers and approved certification of Education Protection Account (EPA) funds under Proposition 30, which staff estimated at $13.9 million for OJUSD and $168,000 for Oakdale Charter for 2026'27.