After-school group’s contract dispute with WCCUSD devolves into insults at board meeting

WCCUSD

Emotions boiled over at the West Contra Costa Unified School District board meeting Wednesday when administrators of the Bright Futures Growth and Development Center in Richmond asked why they no longer had a contract to provide after school and other services to students. Bright Futures President Idrissa Lattier lobbed cutting accusations of selfishness and dishonesty…

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Union leaders mistakenly fired by WCCUSD demand answers

Blue and white sign identified the West Contra Costa Unified School District on the top of the administration building.

Kristen Pursley has been teaching adult education full time in the West Contra Costa Unified School District for 19 years. So it came as a shock on June 8 when she received an email from Human Resources telling her she was laid off.  When she heard that co-worker Ken Ryan, who has been teaching adult…

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Running to ensure equitable access to education

Y’Anad Burrell poses for her husband, Michael Ogbodo, who is a freelance photographer.

Y’Anad Burrell has a mission: Improve education and opportunities for people of color in Richmond. That’s why she is hoping to serve as an area four board member for the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD). “All I’ve been hearing over 10, 15 years is that the West Contra Costa Unified School District continues to…

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Votes are in – Superintendent Duffy stays, for now

The West Contra Costa County Unified School District (WCCUSD) board held a special closed meeting Friday night and voted unanimously not to terminate the contract of Superintendent Matthew Duffy, Board President Tom Panas said. Superintendent Duffy was not present at the November 15 meeting, which had been called to review his employment.  But supporters—including teachers,…

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School Board halts Mindfulness Program in Richmond schools

(Photo courtesy of Edward Booth)

The West Contra Costa County School Board voted against renewing its contract with Mindful Life Project, a local non-profit organization that teaches mindfulness practices to children in the district. More than a dozen community members showed up at the board’s meeting to advocate for the continuation of the program.

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