Dubuque approves requests for $7.08 million in supplemental spending authority

What happened

The school board approved requests for additional spending authority to cover 2026 special education and English-language-program deficits. The requests total about $7.08 million and would be funded through a cash reserve levy.

Why it matters to families

The amounts show substantial costs beyond the programs’ existing budgets, and the approved requests rely on a cash reserve levy. The board approved submitting them to the state review committee; this was not a vote to change school programs.

The evidence

At the October 12 meeting, the board approved submitting a request for $6,392,540.84 to provide 100% spending authority for the 2026 special education deficit, funded through a cash reserve levy. It also approved a $689,218.55 request for 2026 excess English-language-program costs, likewise funded through a cash reserve levy. The transcript says both passed, with one opposing vote on each.

The source