Board holds public hearings on LCAP and proposed 2025‑26 budget; presenters warn of a multi‑million‑dollar gap

Mount Diablo Unified School District leaders presented a draft Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and the district’s proposed 2025‑26 budget at the board’s June 11 meeting, saying both documents will return for board action later this month and noting significant state‑ and federal‑level uncertainty.

Superintendent Adam Clark and district staff summarized the LCAP work as a three‑year strategic plan that guides use of state Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) money and other funds. Samantha Allen and Christina Filios reviewed goals that emphasize standards‑based instruction, staff development, family and community engagement, targeted strategies for priority student groups and an equity multiplier for high‑need schools. Presenters said the district engaged more than 1,800 parents and staff and received thousands of student responses in the spring as part of LCAP outreach.

“Each district LCAP must include student achievement indicators, goals, actions and related expenditures,” Filios said, and staff said the draft contains both state metrics (California Dashboard indicators) and local measures including newly added STAR and MCAS baselines.

The board then opened the required public hearing on the proposal and invited comment. Public commenter Sean Schneider said he would like greater face‑to‑face engagement and asked for clearer, more readable presentation of the LCAP document.

The budget presentation by district fiscal staff explained the proposed revenue and expenditure picture for 2025‑26. Gustavo Aguilera and Director Adrian (presenter name in record) said the district’s combined projected revenue is about $470 million, with LCFF accounting for approximately $353 million. Total projected expenditures are about $515 million, and the proposed budget shows a projected unrestricted operating deficit of about $44.3 million for 2025‑26; district staff said the projected ending fund balance across funds would still be positive at about $114 million when assignments and commitments are included.

Aguilera told trustees the projected deficit reflects a mix of expiring one‑time state funds the district has used to support programs, rising cost pressures for special education and benefits, and an uncertain state budget picture. The presenters said the governor’s May revise provided some proposals — including a possible TK add‑on and a one‑time student support block grant — but county and school‑services guidance recommended not budgeting those items until the legislature and governor finalize the state enacted budget.

Trustees asked how the $6.5 million set aside for class‑size reductions has been used. Clark and staff explained those funds are primarily used to sustain smaller classes for electives, band, AP and other specialized courses districtwide and to target sites where smaller course configurations have shown instructional value. Trustee Mason pressed whether more of the district’s money should be directed to class‑size reduction in core English and math courses; staff said doing that districtwide would require substantially larger, ongoing resources because every secondary student takes those classes.

District staff said they will return with the final LCAP on June 25 and recommended adoption of the 2025‑26 budget at the June 25 meeting; they also said any material changes required by the state enacted budget will be brought back to the board in August. The board closed the hearings after public comment and trustees’ questions and thanked staff for the presentations.

No adoption votes were taken on June 11; the district scheduled final board action for later in June.