United Teachers of Richmond urges city action as West Contra Costa USD faces staffing and budgeting crisis

United Teachers of Richmond (UTR) told the Richmond City Council the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) is on the brink of a management and fiscal crisis that is already harming students and prompting teacher departures.

UTR President Francisco Ortiz said the union’s analysis is drawn from the district’s official filings and presented multiple concerns: significant chronic vacancies (UTR cited 129 vacancies on the district’s January 31 position‑control list), high turnover (561 educators left the district over the past three years), and what UTR described as conservative budgeting practices that overproject expenditures and underproject revenues. Ortiz said the district’s adopted budgets have underpredicted actual revenues by tens of millions in recent years; UTR’s average figure would translate to roughly $67 million additional revenue if the district’s historical pattern held for the current year.

“Thousands of Richmond students are suffering irreparable educational harm due to mismanagement and financial misfeasance,” Ortiz told the council. He added the district’s public messaging has downplayed or misrepresented the union’s concerns.

UTR’s specific requests to the Richmond City Council were threefold: 1) pass a resolution declaring WCCUSD’s financial governance a crisis to press for transparency and accountability; 2) commission an independent assessment of WCCUSD financial practices and recommendations for ensuring funds are directed to students and educators; and 3) partner with educators to prevent the “dismantling” of school programs and staff.

UTR bargaining co‑chairs Gabby Micheletti and Rochelle Milford presented data showing teacher wages in West Contra Costa lag state averages (UTR cited roughly 10% lower than the California average), a high local cost of living, and a decline in the percent of total outgo spent on certificated salaries over five years. UTR said the district has repeatedly failed to meet a state guideline (55% of current cost of education to classroom compensation) and that the district’s unaudited actuals showed falling shares spent on classroom staff while consultant spending rose.

Council response and next steps: Several council members said they took UTR’s presentation seriously and signaled support for action. Councilmember Jimenez said she would work to draft a resolution and to pursue joint meetings with district leaders and other West County cities; Councilmember Robinson urged elected officials across affected jurisdictions to convene and said the city can use political pressure and coordination to seek remedies. The city attorney advised that a city-sponsored independent assessment is legally permissible and described political and jurisdictional realities; he said there can be pushback from the district but no legal prohibition on the city commissioning or requesting an independent review.

Public comment included teachers, residents and community advocates who urged city engagement. UTR asked specifically that Richmond coordinate with other West Contra Costa cities to press the district to change budgeting practices and avoid layoffs.

What was not decided: The council did not vote on the three specific UTR resolutions or a funding commitment for an independent audit at the meeting. Councilmembers asked staff and UTR to return with language for a possible council resolution and to explore next steps for joint action with other cities in the district’s jurisdiction.

Ending note: UTR framed its presentation as an SOS and invited the city to act as an ally to educators and students. Councilmembers expressed willingness to explore resolutions, joint meetings and other political tools; a formal resolution was not yet adopted and any independent analysis or audit would require additional council direction and budgeting.