Health of DUSD Finances Hangs on State Legislature Vote

The financial situation within the Dixon Unified School District isn’t pretty. Declining enrollment led to the issuing of 26 preliminary layoff notices on March 15; and if the state legislature votes against the extension of certain taxes that the district relies upon, DUSD could find itself in dire straits.

For the school district it will most likely come down to adopting one of two budgets – one that cuts and one that cuts even more.

“We believe we are going to lose $350 per student,” DUSD Superintendent Roger Halberg said. “We believe we are going to be around that point in the reduction of funds from around the state. If the tax extension doesn’t push forward, we believe we can lose $600 to $800 per student.”

A special meeting of the DUSD Board of Education is scheduled for March 31 in which DUSD Chief Business Official Cecile Nunley will present to the school board the latest actions by the state legislature. The board is also expected to hear a proposal by the Budget Advisory Committee as well as the Dixon Teacher’s Association and SEUI.

So far the state legislature has approved some of Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed budget cuts. But legislators stopped short of voting in favor of a June general election ballot that would extend taxes that support school districts throughout the state.

Meanwhile, the district is waiting and crossing its fingers that the taxes will be placed on the ballot and that voters approve it so that it will not have to face deeper cuts.

The need to issue 26 preliminary layoff notices arose from a decline in enrollment said DUSD Assistant Superintendent Brian Dolan.

“The determination that we made is that we have a reduced need for the service that were identified in the resolution, ultimately that was the basis,” he said.

During a March 8 closed-session meeting of the Dixon Unified Board of Education, the board voted 4-1 on a resolution to issue the preliminary layoff notices to 14 temporary teachers and one school administrator who would be asked to return to the classroom.  At a March 3 meeting, the school board also voted on a resolution to eliminate some certificated services resulting in layoff notices to 12 certificated full-time employees.

Dolan said many of the notices would be rescinded once staffing is determined for the upcoming school year. The district would need to issue final layoff notices to employees by May 15.

Asked why the decline in enrollment, Dolan said “It’s certainly the trend in the region. Most districts have experienced it or are continuing to experience it. A lot of folks think that it’s tied to the economy. Certainly, if you go back three years … it’s a regional shift of population.”

The March 31 special meeting of the Dixon Unified Board of Education is set for 7 p.m., in the chambers of the Dixon City Council, 600 East A St.