Teachers union-commissioned report says district is spending millions on private equity-owned special education contracts when it should be hiring staff.
Category: Schools
Posted inSchools
WCCUSD strike update: Teachers union tells families to keep children home if it happens
Following a state mediation hearing, the teachers union held the first of two town halls to brief parents and community members on why they may go on strike.
Posted inSchools
‘She changed everything for me’: How a Richmond teacher helped build a school where everyone belongs
Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year, Kaitlin Marchesi of Vista Virtual Academy, almost was forced to work at a different campus but her supporters fought successfully for her to remain.
Posted inSchools
WCCUSD students, parents say they support teachers’ decision to approve strike
As teachers express eagerness to go on strike, one parent group offers WCCUSD a solution.
Posted inSchools
While most WCCUSD students don’t meet state standards, a number of schools saw improvements
Five years after the COVID pandemic closed schools, California test scores show that — despite increases — students statewide are still struggling.
Posted inSchools
A state initiative spawned a surprise dividend: new teachers for WCCUSD
The Expanded Learning Opportunities Program, which offers summer enrichment for middle schoolers, has brought new teachers to Richmond.
Posted inSchools
Update: WCCUSD teachers overwhelmingly authorize strike
While a strike isn’t necessarily imminent, the school board held an emergency meeting Monday to approve higher pay for fill-in substitutes to keep schools running.
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WCCUSD board rejects budget cut resolution, defying county, superintendent
With millions in budget cuts looming and teachers threatening to strike, WCCUSD says board’s 3-to-2 vote against resolution could put them at risk of county oversight.
Posted inSchools
Kennedy High reinstates AP Spanish class after student and teacher outcry
Richmond educators and families are glad an advanced Spanish literature class is back, but scheduling conflicts and administrative silence has them still frustrated.
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300 teachers protest at school board meeting, accusing WCCUSD of underspending
Educators, who’ve worked without a contract since June, are frustrated at what they say is underspending on salaries and special education services, among other student programs.
Posted inSchools
Betty Reid Soskin, the nation’s oldest park ranger, is still discovering herself at 104
Retired from her role telling stories at Rosie the Riveter park in Richmond, Betty Reid Soskin celebrated her birthday at her namesake middle school in El Sobrante.
Posted inSchools
Kennedy High cuts AP classes, frustrating teachers and students
Students say the school is failing to support their academic ambitions as AP Spanish literature, English literature, and calculus are struck from the curriculum.
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Here’s your chance to help solve WCCUSD’s money problems
The school district has scheduled more than a dozen community meetings to collect input on how it can become fiscally stable.
Posted inCity
How Richmond works: Your guide to local government and city operations
We’ve created a guide to help local residents get answers to their questions about the city, WCCUSD and Contra Costa County.
Posted inSchools
$10M parcel tax for schools likely to appear on a 2026 ballot
WCCUSD is considering the best time to ask west Contra Costa voters to renew a school parcel tax that funds programs such as athletics, libraries and counselors.
Posted inCity
Richmond High student arrested after shots fired near San Pablo elementary school
The elementary school campus was locked down for most of the day but police say this was an isolated incident.
Posted inSchools
WCCUSD teachers could authorize strike this fall, union says
West Contra Costa teachers union declares “impasse” over issues including salary, workload and class sizes.
Posted inSchools
Richmond students go back to school with optimism as district reports some progress
From new leadership and programs to playground joy and campus renovations, the new school year marks a fresh start for many in WCCUSD.
Posted inSchools
New WCCUSD superintendent launches 100-day plan to rebuild trust, stabilize district
Superintendent Cheryl Cotton, a product of Richmond schools, said transparency and community input are keys to fixing entrenched challenges such as absenteeism, staffing shortages and budget cuts.
Posted inSchools
Voices charter school in Richmond gets 2nd campus amid WCCUSD board red flags
WCCUSD school board OKs second site for transitional kindergarten and kindergarten classes but raised concerns about finances, diversity and transparency.
