budget cuts

September 23, 2020

West Contra Costa Unified expected to break even this year after major budget cuts

The West Contra Costa Unified School District is expected to break even this year after making around $30 million in ongoing budget cuts and dipping into its reserves and retiree benefits trust. Though the district is in a better financial position than it was, more cuts could be on the horizon in the next three years as the national recession worsens.

Ali Tadayon

July 22, 2020

Budget deferrals today could force schools into a $23 billion hole next year

Do not be lulled into the mistaken idea that schools have been protected from cuts by the state budget solutions adopted last month.

Robert Manwaring

March 6, 2020

Oakland school board votes $18.8 million in cuts, up to 100 layoffs; hears pleas to cut police force

The board voted to lay off about 100 workers to close its 2020-21 budget deficit, may consider eliminating its police force in the future.

Theresa Harrington

February 27, 2020

West Contra Costa Unified school board votes to lay off up to 300 workers in June

Teachers to receive layoff notices next week, but district hopes to rescind many by negotiating other cost-cutting solutions with unions.

Theresa Harrington

February 6, 2020

San Francisco Bay Area district could lay off 250 teachers

West Contra Costa Unified is eyeing to cut $32 million from next year's budget including teaching jobs. Layoff notices will go out by March 15.

Theresa Harrington

February 4, 2020

Oakland Unified superintendent recommends laying off more than 68 staffers to close budget gap

The school board has agreed it must cut about $21.5 million from next year's budget but is now getting proposals on where to make those cuts

Theresa Harrington

January 14, 2020

San Francisco Bay Area district’s budget cuts may hurt neediest students, advocates fear

West Contra Costa school board on Wednesday to begin reviewing suggestions for nearly $50 million in cuts over two years to balance budget.

Theresa Harrington

January 10, 2020

Questions swirl about origins of $40 million deficit

Cutting nearly $40 million in West Contra Costa Unified triggers layoff worries, stirs distrust and puts superintendent’s job in jeopardy.

Theresa Harrington

November 19, 2019

Supporters urge board to keep East Bay superintendent despite budget crisis

West Contra Costa Unified school board agrees to keep superintendent at the helm while searching for ways to bridge $48 million budget gap.

Theresa Harrington

November 15, 2019

East Bay board may consider firing superintendent amid fiscal crisis

A $48 million budget deficit is threatening the job of Superintendent Matthew Duffy. A special school board meeting on Friday is expected to focus on possible termination of his contract.

Theresa Harrington

October 21, 2019

East Bay district struggles with role of tutors in student learning

Bay Area district saved some tutor positions at reduced hours after critics said eliminating the positions would hurt the neediest students.

Theresa Harrington

July 18, 2019

Amid budget deficits, Bay Area district braces for cuts, spending reserves

Like Oakland Unified, West Contra Costa faces budget deficits and sought help from its county office of education.

Theresa Harrington

June 28, 2019

Oakland Unified board approves budget despite doubts about its accuracy

Board members also wonder whether voters would approve new tax measures next year, after grand jury report blasts district for fiscal mismanagement.

Theresa Harrington

March 4, 2019

Oakland school board cuts $20.2 million from budget, including 100 jobs

Board member Jody London said the district could not give teachers the raises it agreed to in settling the recent strike without making the cuts.

Theresa Harrington

February 12, 2019

Acclaimed restorative justice program on the chopping block in Oakland Unified

Students and advocates are loudly protesting a plan to significantly cut staff from the popular initiative, which emphasizes alternatives to punitive discipline approaches like suspension and expulsion.

David Washburn