Free Republic

Richmond city leaders are hunting for $1.5 million a year over the next two years to help bail out the West Contra Costa school district from its financial hole and keep Richmond schools from closing. The money would buy the district more time to lobby state and federal officials to forgive its debt, or to persuade voters to pay higher taxes to keep neighborhood schools with low enrollment open, city officials said. City Councilwoman Maria Viramontes said the district must find a long-term solution to its problem, not just apply bandages. With Richmond willing to pitch in, school district officials...

West Contra Costa school district workers have a perk that many employers no longer offer: lifetime retiree health benefits. But that comes at a high cost to the district: an estimated $495 million, which covers benefits for all currently eligible employees and their spouses and amounts to almost twice the district's annual operating budget. According to a recent study on the issue presented to the school board this week, the estimated cost will grow to $727 million once currently ineligible employees become eligible. District officials, who have been aware of the swelling liability for years, cover the cost on a...

fter warnings from state education officials and lawyers, the West Contra Costa school board voted Monday against giving diplomas to students who fail to pass the California high school exit exam. State law demands student pass the English and math test to graduate from high school starting this year. Board member Dave Brown proposed last week that the 32,000-student West Contra Costa school district grant diplomas to seniors who meet credit requirements and either pass the test or complete a senior project. The proposal, the first of its kind in the state, failed 4-1. "We are not a diploma mill....

Nearly 500 West Contra Costa high school seniors who have failed the mandatory California Exit Exam could receive diplomas anyway this June if a majority of the school board joins a colleague's call to rebel against the controversial graduation requirement. Trustee David Brown says the graduation test is unfair to many students. One of the other four board members is willing to consider joining Brown in support of the plan. Two board members are adamantly opposed, and the remaining member is undecided. A vote is scheduled for Monday on the proposal, which would grant high school diplomas to students who...