Two major developments in September will affect the development of the West Contra Costa Unified School District over the next couple of years.
- The district reached an agreement with the United Teachers of Richmond on a pay-raise of 4 percent, a two-year deal that is retroactive to July 2006. However, the raise was short of the 7.9 percent sought by the union, and does not benefit all teachers equally, according to USD Board Member Audrey Miles.
- Voters rejected Measure G—a $14 million parcel tax—that would have paid for class size reduction, athletics, and more beginning in 2009. The rejection of Measure G could have major implications in the district, including school closures. It is unclear whether a similar measure will be raised in the next year.
The district struggles with enrollment, which has been in steady decline since 2002, and with poor student performance. Last year, 27 schools did not make adequate yearly progress under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, while 29 did. However, there was improvement in the district as a whole last year in terms of yearly progress.
The failure of Measure G reflects the larger issue of a lack of public confidence in the school board. At a General Plan advisory meeting this month, some people expressed an interest in linking Richmond’s tax revenues more directly with schools and educational initiatives in the city, rather than sending money to the district as a whole. People have expressed frustration with a lack of communication between the city and the district.
