Board approves 2026-27 45-Day Budget Revision with new funding and expenses

What happened

In minutes from the August 10, 2026 meeting (approved August 31), the Governing Board voted 5-0 to approve the District's 2026-2027 45-Day Revised Operating Budget. Key changes include a 2.87% statutory COLA plus 1.44% LCFF investment, $3.3M in one-time student support/PD Discretionary Block Grant funding, a $1.2M increase in Special Education spending, a 3% raise settled with WCTA, and $400K in added Special Education costs (NPS placements and transportation).

Why it matters to families

This is a formal revision to the district's operating budget reflecting new state funding, a settled teacher raise, and significant increases in special education spending, affecting district finances and programs districtwide for the 2026-27 school year.

The evidence

"11.1 2026-27 45 Day Budget Revision ... Key changes include: statutory COLA is 2.87% plus 1.44% LCFF investment for paid pregnancy disability leave; $3.3M in one-time student support & PD Discretionary Block Grant; $1.2M increase in Special Education; 3% raise settled with WCTA; and increased Special Education budgets - $300K for NPS student placements and $100K for transportation. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve Budget Revisions to the WCSD 2026-2027 Operating Budget Through June 30, 2027 ... Motion Carried 5-0"

The source