West Contra Costa Unified School District Deal May Allow Some In-Person Learning in April

The West Contra Costa Unified School District and labor groups have reached a tentative deal to allow some students to return to class in April.

The plan prioritizes students who require the most help, including English language learners, foster youth and students who need mental health support.

The West Contra Costa Unified School District includes the cities of El Cerrito, Richmond, San Pablo, Pinole and Hercules and the unincorporated areas of Bayview-Montalvin Manor, East Richmond Heights, El Sobrante, Kensington, North Richmond and Tara Hills, according to the district.

"I’m happy to finally see our school buildings get opened," Superintendent Matthew Duffy said. "But I’m disappointed that we’re not able to provide more to our students for this last part of the school year."

Duffy says he’s hopeful that by mid-August all students will be able to return to school in person.

Not all were happy with the deal, however.

A parent group, West Contra Costa Safe Open Schools, criticized the agreement, saying they were "frustrated" there is not more in-person instruction.

"This proposal does not give my kindergartner any actual in-person instructional time with his teacher, who he has never met face to face," said Ernesto Falcon, WCCOS parent advocate, in a statement. "We, like other working parents all over the district, also have no way to get our kid to campus for 2 hours of after-care, not school.”

The group said the deal as it stands would see WCCSD not collect $9 million in eligible state funding announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom as a carrot to see schools reopen more quickly.

— Holly McDede