I'm wondering if this is a masterstroke from the board ... I know, that's one of those oxymoron thingys!
They've realised that the fans are slowly, one by one, turning on Jimmy and the JMG mob is gradually gathering momentum. Yes there was only 20-ish protestors out there. But it's no secret that Pittodrie folkies prowl DT and The Hat on a regular basis. One quick look at the first page of posts of either board will see a string of anti-JC posts.
Now, whilst cutting JC's contract short on the board's terms would be a costly move, freezing JC out by removing any form of summer funding from him would make him think carefully about seriously considering parting ways with Aberdeen. I mean, the fans really are bored of him and his style of football. If he sees that the board can't promise to back him with the funds to continue strengthening his squad, then he's bound to start looking elsewhere and say "screw you Aberdeen, is this the thanks I get for five top-six finishes?".
That way, no severance package has to be paid out by the board! Just a radical thought, but for the club to announce record profits and the repayment of massive chunks of the debt, saying "we can't give you a single penny this summer" is a bit suss, tbh.