Antioch School District Faces Hundreds of Layoffs Amid Budget Crisis

District aims to reduce expenses by $38 million, but parents and staff raise concerns over impact on students

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Antioch Unified School District in California has approved a preliminary plan to lay off hundreds of staff members, including behavioral support specialists, school psychologists, custodians, and physical therapists, in an effort to address upcoming budget deficits that range in the millions. The layoffs, which would take effect at the end of the school year, are expected to reduce the district's expenses by about $38 million for the 2026-2027 school year.

Why it matters

The Antioch school district is facing a deficit of about $30 million over the next two years due to the expiration of one-time COVID-19 relief funds, increased salary and benefit costs, and rising special education expenses. The layoffs have raised concerns among parents and staff about the impact on student safety, support, and academic progress, especially for those in special education programs.

The details

The Board of Trustees voted 3-2 to approve the layoffs, which would affect about 300 full-time positions. The district is facing a 'qualified' certification from the Contra Costa County Office of Education, which increases county oversight and requires the district to develop solutions to meet its fiscal responsibilities. Dozens of parents and staff objected to the proposed layoffs, citing concerns about the safety, support, and academic progress of children, particularly those in special education. Some also questioned the district's financial transparency and hiring of consultants.

  • The layoffs would be announced by March 15, 2026.
  • The layoffs would take effect at the end of the 2026-2027 school year.

The players

Antioch Unified School District

A public school district serving the city of Antioch, California, that is facing a budget crisis and has approved a plan to lay off hundreds of staff members.

Contra Costa County Office of Education

The county office that downgraded the Antioch school district's 'positive' certification to 'qualified', increasing oversight and requiring the district to develop solutions to meet its fiscal responsibilities.

Mary Rocha

A trustee on the Antioch Unified School District Board of Trustees who opposed the layoffs and requested an audit of all subcontractors hired by the district.

Dee Brown

A trustee on the Antioch Unified School District Board of Trustees who opposed the layoffs, stating that as a parent with a child in the district, she could not support the cuts.

Jag Lathan

The president of the Antioch Unified School District Board of Trustees, who shared her experience as an administrator in the Oakland Unified School District being taken over by the state.

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What they’re saying

“I ask you plainly, when a behavior escalates, who de-escalates? If the staff are managing a crisis, who is providing academic instruction to the rest of the class without directors and program specialists who support IEPs, because these cuts remove the very people that answer those questions.”

— Danielle Watson, parent of a special needs child (mercurynews.com)

“There's a lot of money going out. … There's a big budget for attorneys, there's a big budget for public relations, there's a big budget for things that I'm not really aware of. I know there are programs that are supposed to be there to help you with your children, but I'm also concerned about all these extras to try to reinforce what we are doing.”

— Mary Rocha, Antioch Unified School District trustee (mercurynews.com)

“I am a mom first. I take my oath seriously, but at the end of the day, I'd be a neglectful parent if I stood here knowing I had to go face my baby girl. … I'm doing it for her, I ran for her. I didn't knock on doors to tell people what my platform was to then get in this seat to do the total opposite. … We have to figure something out.”

— Dee Brown, Antioch Unified School District trustee (mercurynews.com)

What’s next

The district is exploring a parcel tax and will conduct a feasibility study to assess the possibility of a ballot measure to help further address upcoming deficits.

The takeaway

The Antioch school district's budget crisis and proposed layoffs of hundreds of staff members highlight the difficult financial challenges facing many public school districts, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation raises concerns about the impact on students, especially those with special needs, and underscores the importance of finding sustainable funding solutions to support quality education.