Education

Richmond’s sugar-sweetened beverage town hall draws tears, personal testimonies

Families from Richmond’s African American community testified Monday night to the fight against the health effects of poor diets at a town hall meeting to discuss the city’s proposed tax on sugar sweetened beverages. The town hall, held in the eastern corner of the Iron Triangle neighborhood at the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, attracted at least 80 residents and city officials who came to listen to keynote speaker Maya Rockeymoore, a leading public policy scholar based in Washington D.C. Rockeymoore…

Gunfire disrupted Richmond homecoming, not school spirit

In the week after gunshots disrupted Richmond High School’s homecoming events, school officials, police and parents said they were glad the situation wasn’t worse. Eight minutes were left in the football game against the Kennedy Eagles when a gun was fired near 23rd and Maricopa just beyond school property. After responding to the scene, police made the decision to stop the game and the homecoming dance. Students who had just arrived in their finest dress were held in the gym…

Election 2012: Proposition 30

West County school leaders are anxiously awaiting the vote on the state’s Proposition 30, a tax increase proposal written by Governor Jerry Brown that if passed would mean millions of dollars for the West Contra Costa Unified School District — money the district says it desperately needs. “If the election is not successful for Prop 30 we estimate that the cuts will be $12 million for our school district,” said Sherri Gamba, the district’s associate superintendent of business services. That’s…

Gunshots halt Richmond homecoming

Gunshots fired close to Richmond High School on Friday night put an abrupt end to the school’s homecoming dance and football game against the Kennedy Eagles. Eight minutes were left in the game and the Eagles were up 16-6 when a gun was fired near 23rd and Maricopa, a stone’s throw from school grounds. Police stationed at the school for the game responded immediately, but by the time they got to the scene, everyone had scattered, Lt. Michael Booker said. No…

School Board Election 2012: Antonio Medrano

It’s 9:10 a.m. and school started two hours ago. Antonio Medrano stands in Richmond High School’s foyer giving a slightly disapproving look to three students who walk in late. “Buenos tardes,” says Medrano, smiling. “Buenos tardes,” say the kids as they sheepishly grin back. He tells them to get to class and strolls into the front office. He checks with the late students to see that they are making their way to class. Medrano’s easy demeanor with students shows a…