FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2025

Del Norte Unified School District Announces Budget Realignment and Staffing Adjustments

Del Norte Unified School District has announced the most recent version of a comprehensive plan to realign its budget and adjust staffing levels in response to significant fiscal challenges. A further decline of approximately 450 students—resulting in an estimated $6.2 million reduction in funding—combined with rising operating costs, has forced the district to take necessary measures to secure long-term financial stability while maintaining quality education for our students.

Key Factors Driving the Decision:

• Declining Enrollment and Funding Shortfalls:
  With fewer students attending daily, overall district funding has significantly dropped. This decrease, coupled with increased expenses such as nearly 50% higher electricity rates, and rising fuel costs, has contributed to an unsustainable fiscal environment. Despite efforts over the past two years—and even though our staff levels now exceed those of 2019—the revenue shortfall has necessitated immediate budget reductions.
• Expiration of COVID-Era Supplemental Funds:
  During the pandemic, the district received one-time funds (including ESSER) that enabled the hiring of additional instructional support staff and librarians to address learning loss and other urgent needs. These funds were never intended to create permanent positions but were required to be spent on providing academic interventions to students to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 school closures. With the expiration of this temporary funding, the district is now required to revert to its longstanding staffing models.
• Staffing Realignment:
  • Classified Staff: Notices will be issued to certain classified positions affected by the expiration of COVID funding.
  • Certificated Staff: The district historically maintained student-to-teacher ratios of 24:1 for K-3, 32:1 for grades 4-8, and 35:1 for grades 9-12. During the pandemic, these ratios were temporarily suspended. As enrollment declines, returning to these ratios is essential to ensure staffing levels are aligned with current budgetary needs.

 

A Planned, Transparent Approach to Fiscal Sustainability

For several years, the Board of Education has been exploring ways to reduce the budget and prepare for the discontinuation of COVID-19 relief funds. Following the first interim budget report, it became clear that the Board would need to implement cuts of approximately $2.5 million to the unrestricted general fund operating budget. This decision follows extensive board study sessions, multiple interim budget reports, and a qualified first interim report, which led the California Department of Education to recommend expenditure reductions to prevent future fiscal distress.

The District remains committed to supporting its students and staff throughout this transition and is actively pursuing additional revenue streams—including grants and other funding opportunities—to help sustain key educational positions and services. While these adjustments are challenging, they are essential to preserving our core mission of providing quality education in a fiscally responsible manner.

 

For more information, please contact:

Michael Hawkins

Public Information Officer & Director of Communications

Del Norte Unified School District & Del Norte County Office of Education

707-464-0237

mhawkins@delnorte.k12.ca.us