Leslie Reckler elected president amid WCCSD Board of Education shakeup
West Contra Costa Unified School District Board of Education Trustee Leslie Reckler was elected president on December 18, following a contentious censure and a complaint to the Fair Political Practices Commission earlier this year.
Reckler assumes leadership at a critical time for the district, which faces mounting challenges in fiscal solvency, staffing, and academic performance.
“I am honored to lead the board this year,” Reckler said. “This is an extremely challenging time in our district, and we have a lot to do. There are very tough decisions ahead of us. I look forward to working collaboratively and intentionally to advance both student and district success.”
During the meeting, Reckler said that the recent election was about change and that the board was starting “fresh and new” with new members.
“I have not had a chance at leadership,” Reckler said. “The other two returning members and seated members of the board have served all four years as either clerk or president, and it is time for a change on the board.”
Guadalupe Enllana, the new representative for Area 2, was installed as Clerk of the Board at the meeting. Enllana defeated incumbent Otheree Christian, who was seeking a second term.
Cinthia Hernandez, who ran unopposed, assumed the Area 3 seat previously held by Mister Phillips.
Reckler described the new board members who voted for her as president of the board as "passionate moms and seasoned advocates" who work selflessly for community betterment.
“I am excited for their fresh perspectives, their visions, and goals for the school district,” Reckler said.
Despite her focus on unity and collaboration, Reckler’s presidency has been met with criticism from some colleagues. Trustee Demetrio Gonzalez-Hoy, representing Area 4, expressed frustration over the board’s decision not to select him as president.
“Our bylaws say that the clerk of the board is supposed to become president next. The majority of the board voted for Trustee Reckler to become our next President instead of me,” Gonzalez-Hoy wrote on social media. “I have a lot of reservations, concerns, and worries about this decision and what it means for our anti-racist agenda, which our previous president focused on, and that we continue to violate our own procedures."
At the meeting, Jamela Smith-Folds said that while the bylaws state that the board clerk will generally replace the outgoing president based on the advice of the legal counsel, the current board retains the dedication to elect any board member to be president.
Smith-Folds ran unopposed to retain her Area 1 seat and nominated Gonzalez-Hoy for president, but Gonzalez-Hoy received votes only from Smith-Folds and himself.
The leadership shift comes less than a year after Reckler’s censure and subsequent exoneration by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). While some viewed the censure as a necessary accountability measure, others, including Reckler, criticized it as a distraction from the district’s more pressing challenges.
Soren Hemmila
The previous West Contra Costa Unified School District Board voted to censure Reckler on January 10, 2024, for actions related to a fundraising application. The censure vote has added to ongoing tensions on the board.
As the new board navigates these challenges, Reckler emphasized that selecting a new superintendent remains the board's most pressing objective.
In September, Superintendent Kenneth C. Hurst announced he was stepping down to focus on family responsibilities.
Soren Hemmila
Reckler said the superintendent and board will work together to determine their priorities, likely focusing on fiscal solvency, improving attendance and enrollment, academic performance, staff retention, and community relationships. “I imagine these areas will be at the top,” she said.
The West Contra Costa School Board now faces the dual challenge of stabilizing district leadership and addressing long-standing issues in academic achievement, financial management, and community trust.
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