Department Proposals

February 6, 2026

Dear Budget Collaborative Members, 

 Thank you again for your time, thoughtful participation, and the honest feedback you have shared. Our first two Budget Collaborative meetings were intended to lay the foundation—building a shared understanding of the District’s fiscal context, budget structure, and the timeline driving urgent action. As we move into the next phase of work, I want to share what’s new since our last meeting on January 22nd and what to expect next. I also want to acknowledge the human side of this work—our principals and staff are carrying the day-to-day responsibilities of serving students while navigating uncertainty, and I am grateful for their leadership, professionalism, and care for our community. As we move forward, I will prioritize clear communication and practical guidance, so school sites are supported and not left to interpret complex information on their own.

 What’s New: County Office Update: The Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) completed its review of the District’s First Interim Financial Report (as of October 31, 2025) and changed the District’s certification to “Qualified.” In plain language, this increases County oversight and requires the District to take additional steps and provide detailed, implementable solutions aligned to our multi-year projections. 

FCMAT Review: As part of the County’s increased oversight under a “Qualified” certification, a FCMAT review has been initiated to assess fiscal health and risk indicators and to help inform next steps and County advisory.

Board Budget Workshop: The Board will hold a Budget Workshop on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. to review updated budget information, CCCOE requirements, the required deliverables and deadlines, and the District’s timeline for action. Independent Review of Projections and Cash Flow: I have heard questions regarding the validity of the current projections. To support clarity and confidence in the numbers, the District will work with outside fiscal experts to provide an independent analysis of our multi-year projections and cash flow. This work will occur concurrently with the identification of proposed budget reductions and potential revenue enhancements, ensuring recommendations are grounded in the best available information and aligned with County oversight expectations. Purpose Reminder: The Budget Collaborative is an advisory group; you do not make final decisions. Your role is to provide input and recommendations for Board consideration by reviewing scenarios, pressure-testing assumptions, identifying potential impacts, and helping prioritize what to protect as reductions are developed. Please keep the discussion focused on programs, services, systems, and budget categories rather than individuals.

Information We Will Use to Inform Recommendations: Your input will be considered alongside multiple sources of information, including current budget data, instructional review and learning needs, community feedback and listening sessions, the demographer report, the FCMAT analysis, and the School Services Special Education audit. Together, this information will support recommendations and the District’s ongoing coordination with CCCOE advisory and oversight.

The Next Budget Collaborative Meeting will be on Tuesday, February 24th, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Antioch High School.  Thank you again for your leadership and commitment to our students and community. 

With appreciation,
Dr. Darnise R. Williams

Superintendent, Antioch Unified School District

January 23, 2026

Thank you to everyone who participated in our two-day Budget Collaborative meeting held on January 21 and 22. More than one hundred staff, union partners, students, parents/guardians, principals, administrators, and community members joined us. The purpose of the meeting was to review the district’s financial landscape and gather input to help shape priorities for potential reductions and a path to long-term fiscal stability.

Superintendent Dr. Darnise R. Williams shared the district’s challenge: addressing an estimated $30 million deficit over the next two years. The Fiscal Services team explained that the deficit is tied to several factors happening at the same time, including the expiration of one-time COVID relief funds, increased salary and benefit costs, rising special education expenses, and higher utility costs. Together, these pressures have created financial strain as the district expanded staffing and programs to support post-pandemic learning recovery.

Participants also heard a presentation from a demographer who shared enrollment projections, providing important context for future planning and resource allocation. In addition, Miguel Cruz, Director of Maintenance, Operations, and Facilities, presented an overview of current district-owned property, including the legal requirements for selling property and how proceeds from any sale may be applied, noting that these funds have restricted uses.

One of the most valuable contributions from the entire group was the way participants pushed our thinking and tested assumptions. The conversation helped align this work to the district's mission and Board goals, clarified what the community wants protected, and surfaced priorities that require deeper analysis before recommendations are made. The meeting also created space for students and parents/guardians to share what matters most to them, including stronger mental health supports, meaningful professional development for educators, better family engagement, consistent check-ins so students feel seen and supported, additional sports and extracurricular opportunities, expanded supports for students receiving special education services, and making volunteering more accessible for families.

District office leaders presented draft 10% cost-saving proposals focused on efficiencies and keeping reductions as far from classrooms as possible. Ideas discussed included reorganizing administrative work, reducing or re-scoping vendor contracts where feasible, lowering extra hours and overtime costs, and strengthening spending controls and purchasing practices.

The group also reviewed opportunities to increase revenue, especially through improved Average Daily Attendance (ADA). Each missed school day costs the district about $112.95 per student, whether the absence is excused or unexcused. Current ADA is 90–91%, compared to pre-pandemic levels of 93–94%. Reaching the district goal of 95% ADA could generate more than $30 million over three years. Families can support this effort by helping students return to school after appointments when possible, scheduling appointments on minimum days when feasible, reviewing the district calendar when planning travel, and requesting independent study packets when students must be absent.

This is an ongoing process, and more time is needed to review information carefully and work through the complexities involved. Next steps include developing position (staffing) controls to strengthen budgeting and prevent unplanned staffing increases, generating and reviewing staffing allocations to ensure alignment with student needs and district priorities, refining draft options based on feedback and additional analysis, and reconvening in February for follow-up discussion and continued problem-solving. We appreciate the time, questions, and solutions offered by all participants, and we will continue to share updates through official district communication channels as this work continues.

In the interim, school teams will be provided with a presentation to provide an overview to their learning communities.

Thank you.

Adriana H., Amanda F., Amanda G., Anjee P., Anndria R ., Ariana C., Artero P., Ashlee O., Ashley S., Blair W., Bonny B., Brandon D ., Brian A., Bridget S ., Bryan Z., Camille J., Casey M., Chelsea R., Christen C., Christie S., Christina F., Christina P., Courtney E ., Courtney M., Curtistean R ., Darnise W., Dayna G., Deanna A ., Deb M., Debbie P., Diane L., Elaina L., Elena M., Ed D., Erica J., Erich B., Essence P., Esteban L ., Evelyn B., Gloria Q., Gregory K., Gretchen G., Heather O., Henry J., Jasmine F., Jason M., Jason L., Jeffery W., Jeffrey Z., Jennifer R ., Jesseca S ., Jessika T ., Jody A., John J., Jonnie S., Julie V., Katie I., Kelli B., Kelly Q., Ken K., Kendra B., Krista P., Kristine C ., LaTanya W., Lana R ., LaShieka R ., Leslie M., Liah J., Lindsay W., Lisa B., Lisa G., Lisa H., Loraine H., Mallory R ., Margaret T ., Maria V., Marie M., Mariela N., Marissa D., Mia C., Melissa H., Melissa W., Michele W., Mike F., Mindy L., Monica C., Natalie M., Natasha T., Oralia P., Rachel F., Raheem W., Rebecca M., Renata E ., Renita A., Robby B., Robin E., Sabrina A ., Samantha M ., Sarah C., Sarah G., Sarah M., Sarah R., Suzy H., Sylvia R., Taisha W., Tamara B., Tamara D., Tim H., Tom G., Yessica M., Yvette W.