# School Board Candidate Forum 10/21/26

The October 21, 2026, Mt. Diablo Unified School District Board of Education candidate forum, hosted by the district’s Community Advisory Committee and Council of PTAs, covered student achievement, special education, inclusion, after-school programs, family engagement, and district budgeting. Candidates discussed the district’s roughly $500 million budget and competing priorities. Brian Lawrence said the district had accumulated a reserve approaching $200 million (about 40% of the budget) and supported responsibly directing some reserves toward classrooms, citing athletics, counselors, teacher pay, and benefits. Al Anderson raised concern about a reported $13 million overspend and questioned whether spending was improving academic results. Dorothy and other candidates emphasized budget transparency, understanding restricted versus unrestricted funds, and protecting classroom resources during cuts. Candidates also discussed persistent underfunding of special education and the staffing and access needs of after-school programs.

No motions or votes were taken, and the forum identified no contract awards, RFPs, vendor selections, bid approvals, or specific purchasing decisions. The budget and funding comments were campaign positions and discussion, not board actions. Candidates also raised possible areas for review—including student screen time, communication with families, and special education supports—but no policy changes were adopted.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Education
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 21, 2026

### Sources
- [School Board Candidate Forum 10/21/26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6exOYovVtCU) - Mt. Diablo USD Board Meetings