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Antioch Unified projects $12.2M deficit as rising salaries and special‑education costs squeeze reserves
Summary
District staff told the board that five years of salary/benefit increases and rising special‑education expenditures have produced a projected $12.2 million deficit for 2025–26 and cut reserves near the state’s 3% threshold; staff warned that approving ongoing negotiated increases without new revenue would require deeper cuts.
The Antioch Unified School District presented a five‑year budget review at Wednesday’s board meeting, warning trustees that a combination of substantial salary increases, expanded benefits and escalating special‑education costs will push the district into a projected $12.2 million deficit for the 2025–26 school year.
Mia, who delivered the budget presentation, said the district’s total employer‑paid salaries and benefits grew from about $161 million to $248 million over five years, driven by salary increases that totaled roughly 26.5% over that span and by full dental and medical coverage implemented in 2024. Special‑education expenditures rose from $48 million in 2021 to $89 million in 2025, Mia said, creating a major pressure point in the operating budget.
When the books closed in September, the district reported $23.8 million in reserves — $1.5 million below an earlier estimate — and projects that after the $12.2 million deficit the ending balance will fall to approximately $11.6 million, or about a 3.61% reserve, barely above the state‑mandated 3% economic uncertainty reserve. "Any negotiated increases that create ongoing costs will require deeper reductions in future years," Mia told trustees.
The district noted that certain agreements are contingent on County Office of Education (CCOE) approval and cautioned that securing budget approval may be challenging given current finances. Staff suggested creating a benefits committee to pursue alternatives to reduce health‑care costs while continuing to negotiate with bargaining units.
Trustees called the presentation clear and thanked staff for the work; several public commenters tied the budget discussion to contract negotiations, urging the board to prioritize benefits for retention. The district did not adopt any new budget measures at the meeting; trustees approved routine consent items and asked staff to return as needed with proposed actions.
