The Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District will hold a special meeting for a public hearing on both a proposed budget for the 2026-2027 school year and a Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP).

The budget hearing will provide an overview of the district’s fund balance, reserves, multi-year projections on restricted and unrestricted funds and a fiscal outlook. LCAP will focus on NCLUSD’s recent academic success and shortcomings, parent and student engagement and proposed changes for the next school year.

A decision will not be made on Monday as it will be voted in a regular meeting on June 15, according to District Superintendent Justin Pruett. He added that there could be changes to the budget ahead of its approval in the regular meeting.

NCLUSD currently has a more than $5 million deficit, and is trying to cut it within the next two years. The district is also dealing with declining enrollment as it is projected to decrease at 2,921 enrollees going into August. It’s been one of the contributors to the district sending layoff notices to 17 district employees after a Board of Trustees’ 3-2 vote in February.

California School Employees Association Newman-Crows Landing Chapter 551 union members voiced their concerns about the notices in a March 9 meeting. One of the complaints made about the decision was an increased workload.

Melanie Gomes, a program facilitator at Yolo Middle, said she and her colleague handle more than a 30-student caseload. She added that the layoffs will make it more difficult for the students while district staff have to “fill that void while still doing their own job.”

In a phone interview with the Westside Connect last month, Jessie Ceja, the district’s assistant superintendent, said the layoffs will be reflected in the proposed budget.