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West Contra Costa board certifies first interim budget as 'qualified' amid special-education cost concerns
Summary
The board voted to certify the 2025–26 first interim as "qualified," citing multi-year deficits and reliance on Fund 17 reserves; trustees pressed staff on rising special-education costs and declining enrollment, and union speakers challenged revenue and contractor-spending assumptions.
The West Contra Costa Unified School District board voted Dec. 10 to certify its 2025–26 first interim budget with a "qualified" finding, a designation the district says reflects declining enrollment, projected multi-year deficits and continued reliance on one-time Fund 17 reserves.
Jeff Carter, presenting the first interim (data as of Oct. 31), said district revenue for 2025–26 rose modestly year over year—largely because of a state transitional kindergarten add-on—while enrollment and ADA (average daily attendance) declined. Staff moved roughly $9 million of expenditures from unrestricted to restricted accounts to align with learning-recovery and other block grants. Carter said the district plans to use $13.7 million from Fund 17 in 2025–26 and another $14.8 million the following year; at current projection rates the district could face a cumulative deficit in the third year.
Trustees asked multiple questions about special-education spending. Staff said special-education enrollment has not declined in step with overall enrollment and described increased assessments and the intensity of student needs, higher paraprofessional and transportation costs, and reliance sometimes on nonpublic schools and contractors when in-district placements or staff are unavailable.
Union and public commenters challenged parts of the financial picture. Mark Mitchell, executive director of United Teachers of Richmond, told the board the district’s projected income was underreported by about $38 million and alleged past unapproved contractor spending; another commenter cited state data showing roughly level special-education headcounts while expenditures rose substantially and asked for a deep analysis.
Following the staff presentation and public comment, Trustee Reckler moved and Trustee Smith Folds seconded certification of the first interim as "qualified." The motion carried with Trustee Gonzalez Hoy absent. Staff said the agreed collective-bargaining outcomes will be reflected in future financials once ratified and processed through AB 1200 review and board ratification; those changes would appear in the second interim (March update).
The board requested a study session focused on special-education costs and said it would increase community budget engagement ahead of March updates.
