WCCUSD board votes preliminarily to cut certificated and classified positions, rejects removing JROTC from the list

The West Contra Costa Unified School District board on Feb. 22 approved preliminary resolutions to reduce certificated and classified staff as part of a fiscal solvency plan, after nearly six hours of public comment and extended debate.

The board passed a set of resolutions authorizing notices of reduction of particular kinds of service and placing a number of positions on a contingent list while staff seeks replacements or additional revenue. Business staff warned that removing items from the reduction list without identified replacements would worsen the district's structural deficit and could lead to a negative certification by the county. "Without an approved replacement for that removal, we would not have a balanced budget," said Mister Carter, the district's business official, during the discussion (district staff identified him on the record as "Mister Carter").

The most contested items included funding for the district's only JROTC unit at De Anza High School and a set of elementary music FTE. Several trustees asked whether sites or external grants could cover part of the JROTC match; staff said De Anza's site could cover roughly 0.4 FTE and that discussions with the Air Force and other funders were not complete. The board voted and did not remove the JROTC FTE from the reduction list; trustees were told that doing so without replacement revenue would create a larger deficit and could trigger county oversight.

Elementary music was another flashpoint. Staff explained that some arts and music block grant funds are sunsetting this year and that keeping music positions on central funds would remove an exception that helps avoid Prop 28 "supplanting" concerns. "By having positions on funds that are no longer available in the following year, you get an exception towards your spending level" that affects how Prop 28 supplemental funds can be used, the business official told the board.

A motion directing the contract committee to look for savings to restore elementary music staffing earned majority support; the board approved a direction that would prompt the committee to seek approximately $1.1 million in offsets and return recommendations to the full board if funds are found.

Votes at a glance (selected items): - Resolution 2526-56 (Certificated reduction of particular kinds of service): approved after debate (motion passes). Trustees split on some amendments; final approval was recorded on the public record. - Resolution 2526-57 (Classified reduction of particular kinds of service): approved (roll-call recorded). - Resolution 2526-60 and 2526-61 (Grant-funded certificated and classified reductions): approved with motions directing further committee work to seek replacements for select CTE/CTE-related FTE.

The board noted these approvals are preliminary: staff said positions can be removed from the contingent list before final layoff notices if grants, site funds or other revenues are secured; final actions are expected by May. "We could always rescind any of the FTE on the lists if funding is found," the business official said.

The meeting also included a unanimous resolution honoring Sylvester Greenwood, student Black History Month performances and a lengthy LCAP midyear presentation covering goals, expenditures and program progress.

The board's next regular meeting was announced for March 11; staff will return with follow-up information on JROTC costs, grant statuses and site scheduling.

Ending: The decisions recorded on Feb. 22 were described by trustees and staff as preliminary steps required by statutory deadlines; community members and unions vowed continued advocacy as the district proceeds toward final budget actions in the spring.