West Contra Costa Unified School District will temporarily hand over budget planning responsibilities to the county, after the district – which is approaching insolvency – failed to approve crucial financial plans by the state’s deadline.
“We are disappointed in the board’s decision, but we are confident that the county will review our situation through a student-focused lens and make the necessary decisions to support our students,” Moses said. “At this point, it is the role of the Contra Costa County Office of Education to support WCCUSD staff to address the board’s concerns and implement a budget as soon as possible,” said Marcus Walton, communications director for the county’s office of education.
A May report by the state Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team found West Contra Costa Unified at a high risk for fiscal insolvency, due to declining enrollment and deficit spending. The report found the district projected deficit spending of $6 million for the 2023-24 school year and $6.8 million for 2024-25.
The district’s board president, Jamela Smith-Folds was the only trustee to vote to approve on the plan. Two trustees – Leslie Reckler and Mister Phillips – voted no. Reckler said she would not vote on the $64.8 million accountability plan, citing a lack of transparency. “Since the decision by the board, a lot has changed and happened between our staff and county staff,” Gonzalez said in an emailed statement Monday. “We are getting daily information, as this has never happened in California before, according to legal counsel.”