Declining enrollment and millions in cuts led the school district that serves communities along the western corridor of Contra Costa County to place a measure on November’s ballot that would continue a parcel tax that voters have agreed to three times since 2004.
Measure V would bolster the West Contra Costa Unified School District, which serves 56 schools and 25,000 students from El Cerrito to Hercules, including Richmond, which has the second-largest population in the county.
The measure would continue to charge commercial property owners 7.2 cents per square foot of building space, and the district estimates it will generate roughly $10 million per year for nine years. It requires two-thirds of “yes” votes to pass and would go into effect next July.
In February, the school board voted unanimously to reduce the budget by $127 million by 2027-28 as a way to try and stave off state receivership. The move was made to remain solvent and included cutting 10% of staff and closing and consolidating schools.
Teachers went on strike in December for five days and eventually settled with the district, despite its financial problems. The agreement gave educators an 8% raise and better health benefits at a cost of $105 million over three years, according to the district.
In the measure information provided to voters, the district says the money from Measure V would go toward “protecting core academics, science, music, arts, and career technical programs that prepare students for the changing economy; attracting and retaining qualified teachers; and maintaining mental health services and counselors to support student success.”
The argument in favor of the measure given to voters is signed by five people, including the president of the teachers’ union and a retired teacher.
“California funding has not kept pace with rising costs for special education, employee salaries, utilities, insurance, and essential school operations. Without renewal, our schools face cuts to programs students rely on every day,” it reads.
The argument against the measure is written by four people, including Denise Gianni from the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association and two business owners. They argue that the district does not have a revenue problem and sees declining enrollment as a cost saver, not a budget handicap. They argue that past oversight of the parcel tax money has still led them to insolvency.
“Good intentions don’t alter WCCUSD’s demonstrated pattern: recurrent financial instability, despite lavish funding,” the argument reads.
In the rebuttal to the opposition, supporters of the measure say fewer students are not a cost saver.
“Declining enrollment does not reduce costs of operating schools, serving students with disabilities, maintaining technology, or retaining educators,” reads the rebuttal. “All of those costs are on the rise.”
