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Antioch Unified adopts 2026–27 budget and LCAP; trustees warn special-education costs threaten general-fund stability
Summary
Board adopted the 2026–27 final budget and LCAP and passed a resolution committing $22.8M to programmatic uses; trustees urged a transparent three-year plan to curb special-education cost growth alleged to be driving structural deficits.
The Antioch Unified School District Board of Education unanimously adopted the district's 2026–27 Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), the LCAP federal addendum and the final 2026–27 budget at its June 17 meeting.
Director of Assessment Services Ed Dus outlined minor technical adjustments requested by the Contra Costa County Office of Education — a $38,700 recalculation using the LCFF calculator that affected the 2025–26 reported figures but did not change 2026–27 planned expenditures. Staff recommended adoption of the LCAP and a companion federal addendum required under the Every Student Succeeds Act so the district can continue participation in Title I–IV programs.
On the budget, Director of Fiscal Services Mia Conio presented a resolution designating certain general-fund amounts as committed fund balance (roughly $22.8 million), including legally restricted programs and the reserve for economic uncertainties. A separate Education Protection Account resolution was adopted to allocate EPA funds to instructional uses (teacher salaries and benefits) consistent with constitutional requirements.
Multiple trustees supported the program commitments but warned that the district faces an unrestricted structural deficit largely driven by rising special-education costs that the general fund currently absorbs. One trustee pointed to a specific contract amendment discussed in the meeting (a contract cited by a trustee that moved from roughly $171,000 to $609,000 for a provider) as an example of how special-education placements and related services can rapidly escalate costs. Staff responded that added costs included new high-need student placements and one-to-one assistant requirements and that a written three-year special-education plan is in development.
Trustees directed staff to return with a written three-year special-education plan that ties program decisions to projected impacts on the general fund, identifies levers such as early intervention and inclusive practices, and estimates budget impacts for proposed strategies. Staff said a draft was circulated the day of the meeting and that further study and a September study session were planned.
Ending: The board adopted the LCAP and budget and directed staff to produce a transparent fiscal plan addressing special-education growth and to provide the board with the requested organizational and salary-schedule materials prior to the next fiscal decisions.
