WCCUSD board approves staffing cuts but exempts eight positions, creating $1.2 million shortfall
The West Contra Costa Unified School District Board of Education approved staffing reductions for the 2025-26 school year Wednesday night, with key exceptions that could impact the district's fiscal solvency. The board also voted to revive the Budget Committee to review potential cost-cutting measures further.
The board approved the certificated staffing reduction resolution but exempted 8 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) certificated positions. This decision eliminates the district's ability to fully implement the fiscal solvency plan approved on February 8 and will require alternative budget cuts to offset an estimated $1.2 million shortfall.
Soren Hemmila
Interim Superintendent Kim Moses expressed concern about the financial consequences of the decision.
"I am concerned about the added fiscal uncertainty we face after last night's board meeting," Moses said. "West Contra Costa Unified is now tasked with identifying reductions to district services totaling approximately $1.2 million from the unrestricted general fund to fulfill the approved fiscal solvency plan. We are committed to doing everything possible to achieve fiscal solvency and budget stability for our school district."
The board also debated classified staffing reductions, rejecting multiple motions before ultimately approving the resolution with the condition that the Budget Committee be revived to explore further reductions.
Board President Leslie Reckler said Wednesday's vote not to adopt the plan as approved in February shows the board as an unreliable steward of public funds.
"I did not vote to approve the alternative lesser plan," Reckler said. "Wednesday's vote not to approve the plan in full will make the path forward more difficult for the school district."
Reckler emphasized the complexity of school finance and the difficulty of making personnel cuts.
"It is hard to make reductions when many times it involves people that you know. However, as trustees, it is our responsibility to ensure the long-term financial health of our district," Reckler said. "The revival of the Budget Committee meetings will provide an opportunity for more stakeholders to understand the budgeting process and the deep fiscal challenges that the school district faces."
With a March 15 deadline to notify staff of preliminary layoffs approaching, WCCUSD will work to identify alternative reductions and reconvene the Budget Committee to evaluate financial strategies.
Meanwhile, United Teachers of Richmond is sounding the alarm about what it calls a "complete administrative collapse" of the school district. During a presentation at a Richmond City Council meeting, UTR President Francisco Ortiz warned that thousands of Richmond students are suffering due to financial mismanagement and misfeasance.
Ortiz criticized the district's shifting statements on staffing cuts. UTR cited official financial filings indicating that the district's governance has been misleading.
"The financial governance of our school district is unacceptable," Ortiz said. "The data UTR presents tonight is not speculation—it is based on official financial filings submitted by West Contra Costa Unified School District to the State of California. In contrast, the district continues to mislead the public with narratives not aligned with financial realities."
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