Student walkouts are reportedly being planned this week in protest of impending layoffs at the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD).
One flyer from the Kennedy High Leadership Instagram account encouraged students to walk out at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday. A separate flyer on the same page encourages students to walk out at 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday. In both cases, students are asked to meet at the 500 Building (in the teachers parking lot). The flyer for the Wednesday event states students will march from Kennedy High to the district office at 1108 Bissell Ave.
In a notice to the district community today, Interim Superintendent Dr. Kim Moses said the district supports the students’ right to free speech but urged students to remain at school for their safety. She expressed concern about students entering roadways and possibly drawing intervention from law enforcement.
She also noted the walkout will be counted as an unexcused absence, as required by the Education Code.
“We understand that this is a personal decision for students and families,” Dr. Moses said. “We encourage all of our families to have conversations this evening regarding supporting students to exercise their First Amendment rights safely.”
In a separate action Wednesday evening, the United Teachers of Richmond (UTR) and the International Brotherhood of Teachers will join forces to make their voices heard at the school board meeting, which starts at 5:45 p.m. at DeJean Middle School at 3400 Macdonald Ave. in Richmond.
“Our students deserve fully staffed schools, stability, and the resources to thrive—not more cuts that destabilize their education,” the UTR stated. “WCCUSD’s unnecessary layoffs and budget reductions are a direct attack on our classrooms, our educators, and our students’ future.”
The district says the recent cuts are necessary and still not enough to meet the requirements of the fiscal solvency plan approved by the board trustees last month.
