Christopher Pierce, former De Anza High principal, died on July 4, just as he stepped into his role as principal at Betty Reid Soskin Middle School. He was 45.
Category: Schools
Posted inCommunity
How to help kids cope with ongoing ICE raids, deportations
There are a number of west Contra Costa County resources to support families who are fearful that ICE raids could happen here.
Posted inSchools
WCCUSD school board OKs budget that cuts positions, could increase class sizes
The West Contra Costa Unified School District board approves its $458 million 2025-26 spending plan on Wednesday.
Posted inSchools
Richmond school staffer who inspires kids to show up is also uplifting parents
Meet Your Neighbor: Verde K-8 School’s Marta Nieto teaches immigrant moms how to get involved while also improving attendance.
Posted inSchools
Contra Costa Community College staff protest top execs getting 8% pay raise
College leaders, including at Contra Costa College in San Pablo, to make $297,000 to $447,000 a year while classified staff members say they’ve faced layoffs and a custodian shortage.
Posted inSchools
Richmond Charter Academy wins appeal to stay open
However, Contra Costa County education office board plans to consider imposing financial conditions on the Richmond middle school.
Posted inCommunity
A new free class at Latina Center has Richmond youths building more than just robots
Future Latin Tech program will run for three years at center that got its start helping domestic violence survivors.
Posted inSchools
Una nueva clase gratuita en Latina Center permite a los jóvenes de Richmond constuir más que solo robots
Free educational robotics program will run for the next three years at the Latina Center.
Posted inSchools
‘I don’t have anything to eat’: Contra Costa College gives students food, housing help
Compass Center helped nearly 1,000 community college students last spring get help with life’s basic essentials. Nearly 1-in-5 face housing insecurity or homelessness.
Posted inSchools
WCCUSD’s new superintendent was a district elementary school principal
Cheryl Cotton, incoming leader of the west Contra Costa County school district, faces challenges including declining enrollment, low test scores, high chronic absenteeism.
Posted inSchools
Families say WCCUSD needs better plan to support most vulnerable students
School district and community worked more closely this year to develop accountability plan to help address problems including absenteeism, low test scores and suspensions.
Posted inSchools
‘Excited, eager, optimistic:’ Local high school seniors celebrate scholarships
Richmond Promise’s support gives students confidence. Some are eyeing double majors and medical degrees.
Posted inSchools
Stege school supporters want their lead exposure questions answered
Two months after learning that Cal/OSHA fined WCCUSD for not warning school construction workers about lead, community leaders will host lead workshop.
Posted inSchools
WCCUSD picks new test to identify K-2 reading delays earlier
Teachers who tried out new test said it helped them avoid putting pupils into special education classes.
Posted inSchools
WCCUSD will soon announce its new superintendent
UPDATED: After a months-long national search, the school board interviewed three finalists and plans to name its next leader by June 4
Posted inSchools
Richmondside hires its first education reporter
Jana Kadah brings a passion for holding powerful institutions accountable and serving communities with relevant, actionable news.
Posted inSchools
WCCUSD budget is ‘OK’ for now but requires $13M in cuts over next two years
Contra Costa County Office of Education gives district “positive certification” while education advocacy group questions board’s process.
Posted inSchools
WCCUSD board votes to close Richmond Charter Academy
The middle school plans to appeal school board decision, which was based on “substantial” financial issues and unstable leadership.
Posted inSchools
WCCUSD board: LPS charter school can stay open but needs more diversity
Leadership Public School, a high school in Richmond, was told it needs more Black students and students with disabilities.
Posted inSchools
Ruling means WCCUSD can keep using short-term subs to fill teaching spots
The plaintiffs, a group of teachers and parents, plan to appeal, saying use of temporary subs harms students.
