This story was updated May 24 to reflect an update to the district’s timeline.
The West Contra Costa Unified School District board plans to announce the new superintendent at its June 4 meeting at the latest — if all goes according to plan.
After a months-long search and several public meetings to hear what community members want in their next schools leader, school board President Leslie Reckler said in a press release today that after interviewing three top candidates, the board selected a finalist and is doing reference checks and negotiating a contract. The interview process was handled during closed meetings, and the board is not revealing the finalists’ names.
The announcement is expected to be made at the district’s June 4 school board meeting, where the contract must be approved publicly. (The district previously announced it could happen May 28 or June 11 but updated that information on May 23.) Reckler told Richmondside that it has been customary for new superintendents to be present when they’re announced, and she’s sure the board will offer that option to their new leader. The superintendent is expected to start work July 1.
The announcement of a successor to former superintendent Kenneth Hurst comes after a challenging year for the district, which has faced budget cuts, high staff turnover, a school closure and frustrated teachers, parents and students.
Hurst resigned in late 2024 for personal family reasons after holding the role for about three years. As the district used a search firm to look for candidates nationwide, Kim Moses, associate superintendent of business services, has served as interim superintendent.
Moses took over after the district failed to pass its 2024-25 budget on time due to strife surrounding its local accountability plan, an in-depth blueprint for how the district serves its most at-risk students.
The district was then hit by a civil rights lawsuit filed in July 2024 on behalf of parents and students at several school sites, including Stege Elementary and Kennedy High School in Richmond and Helms Middle School in San Pablo. (A judge later ruled in favor of the district.)
Soon after the lawsuit was filed, the district shocked parents by announcing that Stege would be indefinitely closed and its students relocated to DeJean Middle School.
Under Moses’ leadership, the district made notable progress in balancing its budget, averting the need for state intervention. Earlier this month, the Contra Costa County Office of Education approved a positive certification of the latest version of its budget for the 2024-26 school year, meaning the county believes the district can meet its financial obligations. However, it still must cut $13 million over the next two years.
If you go
WHAT: The school board plans to announce a new superintendent at its June 4 meeting.
WHEN: Public sessions begin at 6:30 p.m. Agendas are usually posted three business days before the meeting.
WHERE: DeJean Middle School, 3400 Macdonald Ave., Richmond. If you can’t attend in person you can follow along online.
MORE INFO: Visit the WCCUSD website.
President of the 1,700-member United Teachers of Richmond union, Francisco Ortiz, had told Richmondside in an interview last week that he is cautiously optimistic about a new superintendent.
“Within the last two years or so, we’ve been under this austerity regime where we just had so many different issues,” Ortiz said.
He said the district has been unable to retain teachers and staff in critical positions, while reassigning those in specialized coaching and counselor positions, leaving such roles unfilled. Over the past three years, 561 educators have left and 57 intend to resign by the end of June, according to a presentation Ortiz gave to the Richmond City Council. The teachers’ union is negotiating a new contract as theirs ends on June 30.
Ortiz said at the root of teacher frustration is a lack of communication from the district, “so we’re hopeful that we have someone who will really prioritize our students, our educators, to support them and bring more stability to our schools.”
Ortiz also said he wished the teachers’ union and other stakeholders were more involved in the search for a new superintendent.
Reckler’s press release said the board relied on “extensive input” from educational partners through in-person and Zoom meetings, along with online surveys, to shape the position description used to recruit candidates and develop interview questions.
According to the district’s superintendent job description, the ideal candidate is a decisive leader and experienced educator who has a track record of improving underperforming schools, enhancing academic performance, and addressing systemic issues. The district is also looking for someone who is “culturally competent, anti-racist, and deeply committed to equity,” particularly those from marginalized communities.
WCCUSD’s student population is about 54% Hispanic/Latino, 13% Black and 11% Asian. About 31% are English language learners, 58% are socioeconomically disadvantaged, 14% are students with disabilities and about 1% are in foster care, according to district data.
The new superintendent will make anywhere from $310,000 to $340,000 annually. A multi-year contract will be considered.
School board meetings are held at DeJean Middle School, 3400 Macdonald Ave., and start at 6:30 p.m. Meeting agendas are usually posted three business days in advance. Members of the public can attend in person or follow along online.
