WCCUSD approves staffing reductions

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WCCUSD proposes 10% staff cut to pay for 8% raises and close $127 million deficit The West Contra Costa Unified School District has proposed a 10% staff reduction across all unions to help fund recently negotiated 8% salary increases and address a looming $127 million structural deficit. During a January 14 budget presentation, district staff revealed that the 10% workforce cut is a central part of a $60 million savings plan needed over the next three years to keep the district from falling into state receivership. This fiscal crisis stems from the gap between these higher labor costs and a significant decline in state revenue. The proposed layoffs would impact approximately 140 full-time positions within the United Teachers of Richmond alone. Acting Associate Superintendent Jeff Carter informed the board that the district must slash $3.1 million in the 2025–2026 school year, followed by a much larger $42.4 million cut in 2026–2027 and a final $14.2 million the following year. In addition to reducing staff, the district is exploring the "right-sizing" of its school network by merging or closing under-enrolled campuses, which could save an estimated $11.3 million. To maintain daily operations in the meantime, the district is rapidly depleting its emergency reserves. Officials confirmed that a $28.5 million special reserve fund will be completely exhausted, while another $13 million is being withdrawn annually from retiree health benefit accounts. These recommendations will now move to the Board of Education, which is expected to begin formal discussions and voting on specific school closures and layoff notices throughout February.
Photo credit: Kathy Chouteau

By Kathy Chouteau

The West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) Board of Education approved resolutions to reduce dozens of certificated and classified positions for the 2025-26 school year at its Feb. 26 meeting, but the district indicated the cuts would not be enough. 

The meeting saw the Board approve cuts to 169 positions, which is eight fewer than staff proposed. The cuts include teaching positions and administrative, speech & language, counselor, school psychologist roles, instructional aides, special education paraprofessionals and administrative positions. The district said it will be required to identify alternate areas for budget reductions due to the Board’s decision to reduce the number of proposed cuts. The district claims the decision conflicted with the fiscal solvency plan approved by the board trustees Feb. 8, 2025. 

Kim Moses, Ed.D, interim superintendent of the WCCUSD, says the district 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.

The district faces a March 15 deadline to notify staff of preliminary layoffs approaching. Following the Board of Education meeting, the WCCUSD will work to identify alternative reductions and convene the Budget Committee to evaluate financial strategies. 

CORRECTION: This report has been updated to correct the number of positions that were approved to be cut by the Board of Education.

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