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Teachers Demand Change to Protect Students in West Contra Costa

Educators from the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) are calling for urgent reforms, citing that poor working conditions jeopardize the well-being of students. Teachers and staff represented by the United Teachers of Richmond gathered outside DeJean Middle School in Richmond last week, advocating for better wages, reduced workloads, and improved working environments.

The educators, donning bright red T-shirts, emphasized that their demands aim not only to enhance their own quality of life but also to create a more supportive educational atmosphere for the district’s approximately 28,000 students. The district operates across 56 campuses, from Hercules to El Cerrito.

During the rally, a variety of voices—including teachers, counselors, students, and parents—expressed their concerns. They highlighted issues such as classrooms reaching nearly 90 degrees, insufficient support for high-needs students, overcrowded classrooms, and the high turnover rate of teachers. Many educators reported being compelled to serve as substitutes during their preparation periods, adding to their already heavy workloads.

“This is not just bad management; this is a betrayal of our trust. This is about justice for the most vulnerable students in our system,” stated Francisco Ortiz, president of United Teachers of Richmond. “Our students can’t wait. Our families can’t wait. And you must act now to provide fully staffed, stable schools and deliver the services that our children deserve.”

Negotiations between the WCCUSD and the United Teachers of Richmond have been ongoing for over a year. Currently, teachers and staff are operating under a contract from 2022-2025 that expired in June 2023.

Despite requests for comment from district leadership, including board president Leslie Reckler, Superintendent Cheryl Cotton addressed the board last week, affirming the district’s commitment to good faith negotiations. “We are continuing to meet with our union representatives, continuing to work through challenges and issues that exist, but are also committed to good faith bargaining,” Cotton said. “We value every member of our West Contra Costa family.”

As negotiations have progressed, significant differences in proposed contract amendments have emerged. While educators are advocating for salary increases, the district has proposed 0% pay increases. Class size is another contentious issue, with educators seeking smaller classes for fourth graders and up, while the district aims to increase pupil counts for those grades. Additionally, the union insists on maintaining reasonable temperatures in classrooms—a demand the district has rejected.

Financial pressures have compounded the situation for the WCCUSD. With declining enrollment and increased operational costs, district officials have pointed to a challenging fiscal landscape that has necessitated difficult budget cuts. The district’s history of financial instability is notable; it lost control to the state in 1990 due to fiscal issues and was required to repay a $29 million loan, which was fully settled by 2012.

The Contra Costa County Office of Education has approved the district’s budget documents, contingent on the implementation of $32.7 million in expenditure reductions. However, union members have expressed skepticism regarding the authenticity of the district’s financial crisis claims. They argue that budget figures have been manipulated and that significant savings could be achieved by reducing reliance on outsourced services.

“The cost of not making changes is a continued exodus of staff and low student performance,” warned Cantika Sasono, a bargaining member of United Teachers of Richmond and a math teacher at Richmond High School. “WCC must make really big changes in order to fully staff our schools and make the working conditions sustainable. It starts with coming to an agreement with UTR and Teamsters.”

As the situation unfolds, both educators and district leaders face pressing challenges that will ultimately affect the educational landscape of the West Contra Costa community.

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