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ABC Unified presents LCAP priorities and a multi‑year budget shortfall as enrollment falls
Summary
At a June 4 board meeting, district leaders outlined a three‑year LCAP emphasizing literacy, math supports and safety measures and reported a projected $18.3 million deficit tied largely to declining enrollment and limited COLA increases; the board approved related contracts and will spend reserves to sustain programs while monitoring for future cuts.
ABC Unified School District leaders on June 4 presented a three‑year Local Control and Accountability Plan that prioritizes academics, student connectedness and college‑and‑career readiness, and also delivered a budget forecast that projects sustained deficits as enrollment declines.
"We are data‑informed and community‑engaged," Dr. Castro said in introducing the LCAP, describing goals that include literacy labs, expanded math supports (coaches and tutoring), an anonymous bullying reporting system and PSAT testing for ninth and 10th graders to improve early diagnostics. The plan ties specific actions to state accountability metrics and to funds designated for unduplicated pupil populations.
District Chief Financial Officer (presentation led by Mr. Luen, speaker identified in remarks as Twan) told the board the 2024–25 budget reflects a modest 1.07% COLA offset by a drop in funded ADA that yields a roughly $4.5 million unrestricted shortfall and a total projected operating gap of about $18.3 million when restricted programs are included. He said the district will intentionally draw on reserves to sustain programs in the near term while preparing options if state revenues or enrollment do not improve.
"We are facing declining enrollment that will materially affect funding over the next decade," the CFO said, presenting projections that show ABC Unified moving from more than 20,000 students in 2019 toward an estimated 15,500 in the long term and describing a plan to use restricted and unrestricted reserves to avoid immediate cuts.
Board members pressed for specifics on how the LCAP actions are fiscally aligned with outcomes. Dr. Castro pointed to action line items in the LCAP that allocate funds for professional learning, math specialists, progress monitoring, summer school and targeted supports at high‑need sites. "Action Four is to develop math support programs including coaches and tutoring," she said. "Action Nine is professional learning for teachers and Action 11 is additional staff for high‑need sites."
The presentation also flagged Equity Multiplier funds targeted to Tracy High School, meant to provide intensive academic guidance, technical support to address chronic absenteeism, and staffing for onetoone help for long‑term English Learners and newcomers.
Several trustees underscored the district's limited flexibility: much of the beginning fund balance is restricted state grants and one‑time block grants that must be spent for specified purposes. The CFO noted roughly $84 million in beginning fund balance, of which about $60.8 million is restricted and roughly $23.8 million is unrestricted; he said planned drawdowns of restricted dollars reflect an intentional use of those grants to support recovery programs and state priorities.
The board voted unanimously on several LCAP‑related and budget items during the meeting, including professional learning contracts and program spending drawn from restricted grants. Trustees emphasized they are committed to avoiding layoffs where possible but acknowledged the district will need a formal plan if structural deficits persist.
What happens next: the LCAP and budget materials are posted to the district website for community feedback and the board will continue budget monitoring and consider options at future meetings. The public hearing on the 2024–27 LCAP was conducted and related action items (professional learning contracts and agreements) were approved during the same evening.
