The West Contra Costa Unified School District is confronting a $127 million budget shortfall over the next three years, prompting officials to propose widespread staff reductions, program cuts affecting 400 positions and restructuring that could merge small middle schools and reconfigure K-8 campuses.
Superintendent Cheryl Cotton outlined the financial situation during a community listening session at Pinole Middle School and Korematsu Middle School this week, less than a month after the district ended a four-day teacher strike with a tentative contract agreement that includes salary increases and enhanced health benefits.
Both the United Teachers of Richmond and Teamsters Local Union 856 ratified their contracts in December, but the agreements significantly increased the district’s financial obligations…