Since DVUSD lost its Maintenance and Operations Override measure that it had in place for the last 30 years, the district is faced with making difficult decisions to reduce its budget by $11 million a year for the next three years for a total of $33 million.
DVUSD’s Governing Board is hosting a work session Tuesday, May 20 to publicly review the district’s entire budget structure for the next fiscal year. In forming the drafted budget, DVUSD considers four variables to guide the process: Enrollment, loss of Override, inflation increases, and state/federal revenue.
DVUSD Superintendent Dr. Curtis Finch told Valley Vibe, “Approval of the pieces of the budget always occurs throughout the last four months of the school year as the district prepares contracts, staffing levels, and budget parameters for the next year and finishes the current year.”
A majority of the budget cuts are expected to be absorbed through attrition, staff pay-raise freezes, and furlough days. Also anticipated are fee increases for facility-use and athletic/club/fine arts programs, reductions in professional development for staff, and summer learning opportunities for students. The remaining balance of the budget needs will be absorbed from one-time cash reserves, Finch told Valley Vibe.
The final budget will be up for approval at the district’s first meeting in July, as required by
state statute.
Finch added that the M&O Override will be placed on the November 2025 ballot for voter consideration.
“The Board listened to the community and will be only offering up an Override for next November and will wait for a Bond Proposal later as the TSMC factories and developments take shape on the west side of the I-17 over time,” Finch said.
By Karen Goveia
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