Leadership Associates hired to find next WCCUSD superintendent

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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confirmed that a $28.5 million special reserve fund will be completely exhausted, while another $13 million is being withdrawn annually from retiree health benefit accounts.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

Leadership Associates, a Southern California organization that helps school boards select superintendents and executive leaders, is being tapped to assist in the search for the 10th superintendent of the West Contra Costa Unified School District.

Also being tapped to help with the search? You.

The WCCUSD Board of Trustees recently voted 3-0 last week to approve the contract with Leadership Associates, following the announcement earlier this month that current Superintendent Matt Duffy will leave the district at the end of the 2020-21 school year.

“Leadership Associates is in the process of scheduling multiple community stakeholder meetings, starting on Monday, Nov. 30,” the district said in a statement.

Also on Nov. 30, a community-wide survey on what qualities and characteristics the community is seeking in its next superintendent will be available on the district’s website.

The survey seeks feedback from parents, families, students, staff, and community members to help identify the characteristics and qualifications of the next District leader.  The survey will be open until Thursday, Dec. 10.

The selection process is expected to take several months.

“A new superintendent could be hired by the end of March and begin working in the District on July 1,” according to WCCUSD.

The superintendent timeline is available here.

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