FROM THE WEST CONTRA COSTA UNIEID SCHOOL DISTRICT:

Richmond, Calif.: After a six-hour special meeting, the West Contra Costa Unified School District Board voted 4-1 late Friday evening to reopen its 54 schools starting April 19. Trustee Jamela Smith-Folds voted no.

The vote followed a 12-hour negotiation session that spanned Thursday and Friday between the District, the United Teachers of Richmond, Teamsters Local 856, School Supervisors Association, West Contra Costa Administrators Association, and Adult School Teachers United. It was the second negotiated agreement in the past week to return transitional kindergarten through 12th-grade students to in-person support.

Changes to the revised and approved In-Person Intervention & Instruction agreement include:

• Adding in-person support opportunities for all students during school hours Monday to Wednesday
• Increasing the hours and opportunities for In-person intervention and instruction for WCCUSD’s highest-needs students
• Keeping the current daily Distance Learning instruction schedule between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for students who remain at home
• Allowing all students to participate in in-person socio-emotional learning on Thursdays or Fridays
• Preserving the Districtwide staff Race and Equity professional development on Fridays

“I’m proud of the work everyone has done to get us to this point,” WCCUSD Superintendent Matthew Duffy said. “I’m excited to welcome WCCUSD students and staff back on April 19 for those who would like to return.”

The plan is voluntary for students and staff. Students will be offered the opportunity for in-person instruction during the regular school hours from 10 a.m. to 2 or 3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. 

The deal also offers the District’s highest-needs students an opportunity to receive in-person intervention either from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday through Wednesday or 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. In-person social-emotional opportunities will also be available on either Thursday or Friday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Student cohorts will not exceed 15 students. Students in the intervention blocks are determined by various academic, socio-emotional, special education, and demographic categories. The number of staff volunteering for the plan will determine the number of students served under the agreement.

The agreement still needs ratification from union members. The deal also includes various safety measures such as universal mask-wearing, social distancing, ventilation and airflow requirements in classrooms, temperature checks, random bimonthly Covid-19 testing for students, mandatory testing for staff, and student home self-assessment health screening.

Communications Office

West Contra Costa Unified School District

MEDIA CONTACT: Robert Jordan

510.213.5536

[email protected]