Governing Board - Dec 10, 2025 - Meeting

Antioch Unified School District's governing board ushered in new leadership, locked in employee benefits for three years, and confronted a $14.7 million budget gap at its December meeting. With Jag Lathan taking the gavel as board president and a labor agreement offering stability to classified staff, the district is charting a course through significant fiscal headwinds while celebrating gains for English learners and pushing attendance as the key lever for financial recovery.

• Jag Lathan elected board president; Olga Cobos-Smith named vice president in unanimous votes.

• CSEA contract ratified: 1.5% raise effective Jan. 1, 2026; fully paid medical and dental benefits locked through December 2028.

• First Interim budget report approved, revealing need for approximately $14.7 million in adjustments.

• English learner progress moves to green on California School Dashboard; math remains red.

• Community members rally to preserve MLK Day celebration and support Antioch High safety staff member.

• Security contractor reports three firearms recovered on campuses since Jan. 1.

New Leadership Takes the Gavel

The board's annual organizational meeting produced a unanimous leadership slate: Trustee Jag Lathan as president and Trustee Olga Cobos-Smith as vice president, both elected 5-0 by roll call vote.

Why it matters: Board leadership sets the tone for district priorities and public engagement. Lathan inherits a district navigating fiscal constraints while working to improve student outcomes across multiple Dashboard indicators.

Outgoing President Antonio Hernandez drew praise from colleagues for his tenure. "I've seen change and I've seen growth in front of my eyes," said Trustee Mary Rocha.

The board also appointed the district superintendent as board secretary, designated a liaison to the Contra Costa County School Boards Association, and approved committee assignments for 2026—including audit review and LCAP representation.

Decisions: Both leadership elections passed 5-0. The board adopted its 2026–27 meeting calendar by voice vote.

Labor Agreement Brings Three-Year Benefit Stability

The board ratified a tentative agreement with the California School Employees Association Chapter 85, delivering a 1.5% salary increase effective Jan. 1, 2026, and extending fully paid medical and dental benefits through December 2028.

Why it matters: For classified employees—custodians, instructional aides, office staff, and others—the agreement provides wage growth and shields families from rising health care costs amid district budget pressures. The multi-year benefit guarantee offers unusual stability in a tight fiscal environment.

"I am extremely grateful. Thank you for your work and your team's work to come to an agreement with CSEA to provide increased compensation and locks in fully paid family medical benefits for the next three years, offering stability for our employees and their families," Trustee Hernandez said.

State of play: The agreement also establishes joint committees to address health plan administration and stipends. CSEA members had previously ratified the deal.

Decisions: Ratified by voice vote.

$14.7 Million Budget Gap Looms

Staff presented the First Interim Budget Report showing a projected unrestricted deficit requiring approximately $14.7 million in adjustments over the multi-year outlook.

Why it matters: California school districts must demonstrate fiscal solvency across three years. A gap of this magnitude typically triggers scrutiny from the county office of education and forces difficult choices about staffing, programs, and services.

"Our first goal is to eliminate the deficit," Dr. Williams told the board.

State of play: The district is targeting attendance recovery as its primary revenue strategy, branding the effort "Strive for 95"—a push to raise average daily attendance (ADA) to 95%, which directly increases state funding. Staff emphasized that every percentage point of improved attendance translates to significant revenue.

The other side: Board members expressed concern about balancing fiscal responsibility with maintaining services for students and retaining staff.

Decisions: First Interim report approved by voice vote.

What's next: A budget committee will convene to identify adjustments. Attendance campaigns and intervention strategies are already underway.

Dashboard Shows Mixed Results; English Learners Shine

The mid-year Dashboard and LCAP update revealed a district making progress in some areas while facing persistent challenges in others.

Why it matters: California's School Dashboard is the state's primary accountability tool, coloring indicators from blue (highest) to red (lowest). Movement on these metrics shapes state intervention, community perception, and resource allocation.

State of play: English Language Arts moved to yellow. Math remains red—the lowest tier. Science sits at orange. Chronic absenteeism improved to orange. Suspension rates moved to yellow, reflecting gains from restorative practices. The standout: English learner progress jumped to green.

"One of the biggest feathers in our cap is moving to the green for English language learners," Dr. Wisely said.

What's next: Staff outlined strategies including literacy focus, a new math curriculum adoption, professional learning communities, Saturday school, and expanded restorative practices to address remaining red and orange indicators.

Community Rallies for MLK Day Event, Antioch High Staff Member

Public comment brought two impassioned appeals: preserve the district's long-standing Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, and support a site safety staff member at Antioch High School facing an apparent personnel review.

Why it matters: Both issues touch on school climate and community identity—the intangibles that shape how families experience their schools.

On MLK Day, multiple speakers urged the board to continue the event as a vital community tradition.

"I've seen a change and I've seen a growth that has really, in front of my eyes, have seen it," said Velma Wilson, framing the celebration as essential to honoring Black excellence and Dr. King's legacy.

Pastor Ed Harris was more pointed: "Removing it diminishes African American history and youth engagement."

On the personnel matter, seven speakers—parents, staff, and students—read statements supporting the Antioch High safety staff member, describing her de-escalation skills and positive campus impact.

"She is the best thing that happened to Antioch High," said Pamela Diaz, a district employee, urging board members to review the situation firsthand.

Lakeisha Robinson read a character reference contextualizing a recent incident, asserting the staff member's actions were safety-focused in a high-stress situation.

State of play: The board took no action on either matter during public comment, as is standard practice.

Security Report: Three Firearms Recovered This Year

SR Global, the district's security contractor, delivered a presentation on campus safety operations.

Why it matters: School security remains a top concern for families and staff. The report quantified both the scope of coverage and the seriousness of threats the district faces.

State of play: The contractor operates 24/7 coverage across district sites. Since Jan. 1, security personnel have recovered three firearms on campuses.

"We do run 24 hours a day," the SR Global presenter said.

Staff also reviewed suspension reductions tied to restorative practices, the rollout of wellness rooms, and attendance recovery campaigns as part of a broader culture and climate initiative.

Minor Items

• CSBA Delegate Assembly: Board nominated Trustee Mary Rocha to represent the district at the California School Boards Association.

• SPSA carryover revisions: School Plans for Student Achievement revised to direct carryover funds toward interventions, technology, supplies, and attendance incentives at multiple sites; approved by voice vote.

What to Watch

The district's next moves on the $14.7 million budget gap will define the coming months. Watch for budget committee meetings and community engagement sessions as staff identify where cuts will land. Attendance will be the metric to track—every day a student shows up is money in the district's coffers. Meanwhile, the fate of the MLK Day celebration and the Antioch High staff member remain open questions that could resurface at future board meetings.