WCCUSD is facing significant financial challenges. Enrollment has declined, costs have increased, and the district has been relying on reserves to balance the budget. Without action, those reserves will run out.

The Fiscal Solvency Plan is designed to stabilize the district's finances and ensure we can continue operating in the years ahead.

The district faces the following required reductions over the plan period:

Reserves are savings the district has set aside for emergencies or financial downturns. Currently, the district is using these reserves to cover expenses. Projections show that those reserves will be exhausted by 2026–27 if structural changes are not made.

Fund 71 is the district's retiree health benefits fund (OPEB). The district has been borrowing $13 million annually from this fund to help balance the budget in the short term. This is not a long-term solution and must be addressed through structural reductions and revenue strategies.

The Board approved the Fiscal Solvency Plan for 2026–2028 to address significant projected deficits and ensure long-term fiscal responsibility. Without a viable plan, the district could face fiscal oversight from the County, resulting in the loss of local control over financial decisions.

In that situation, decisions about staffing and programs could be made externally, without the same level of community input or local sensitivity.

Yes. The plan includes potential revenue strategies such as expanding Transitional Kindergarten (TK), improving attendance recovery efforts, exploring potential property value proceeds, mental health billing opportunities, parcel tax renewal, and charitable donations.

The plan includes moving 7th and 8th grade students from certain K–8 schools — Verde, Montalvin, Peres, Stewart, and Mira Vista — back to their comprehensive middle school of residence.

The plan also includes a middle school merger and relocating West County Mandarin K–8 to the Betty Reid Soskin campus.

The students directly impacted are the current 6th graders and current 7th graders. These students would transition to middle school next year as part of the district's redesign efforts, including the merger of two middle schools.

We recognize that K–8 and middle school communities are among those most directly affected by these structural changes.

A middle school merger means combining two middle school communities into one comprehensive middle school program. Students would attend one campus, and staffing and resources would be aligned to support the consolidated school.

The plan includes approximately $2 million in program reductions, including the elimination of Elementary Band, Graduate Tutors, and the school-based International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Pinole Valley High School.

As part of the approved Fiscal Solvency Plan, Betty Reid Soskin Middle School will be merged with Pinole Middle School. Students from Betty Reid Soskin will transition to the Pinole Middle School campus.

This decision was made as part of broader structural changes to align enrollment, staffing, and resources with the district's current fiscal reality.

The district recognizes that Betty Reid Soskin Middle School represents more than a school site. It carries the name and legacy of a nationally respected civil rights leader and community figure.

The Board has directed staff to collaborate with the community on how to honor her legacy moving forward. This includes thoughtful consideration of how her name, history, and contributions continue to be recognized within the district.

We recognize that changes of this magnitude can feel disruptive and emotional. Transitions may involve adjustments to routines, staffing, and school assignments. The district is committed to providing clear timelines, transition supports, and opportunities for families to ask questions and receive updates.

We have heard clearly from families about the importance of community connection and peer relationships. We are committed to supporting students who wish to continue their learning alongside their cohort and will prioritize keeping students together whenever possible.

These efforts are intended to promote stability, belonging, and student well-being during this transition.

Students will continue to use bus transportation as they have in the past. Transitioning to Helms or DeJean is not a new process for these communities — historically, students from Peres and Verde have naturally matriculated to Helms.

The district is working with AC Transit to ensure bus routes are adjusted and rebuilt in a way that supports students and families effectively.

We are actively developing a transition plan to ensure the process is thoughtful and student-centered. Middle school teams will meet with outgoing 6th and 7th graders to introduce programs, electives, and opportunities available at their new schools.

Principals will be available to speak directly with families and answer questions. We are exploring opportunities for school visits and field trips so students can become familiar with their new campus. Clear timelines, enrollment information, and next steps regarding the transfer process will be shared in the coming days and weeks.

We want families to understand the full middle school experience. Comprehensive middle schools offer access to electives, extracurricular activities, and athletics. Helms, for example, has an after-school program similar to Peres, allowing 7th and 8th graders to participate in activities beyond the school day.

Additional academic and enrichment programs will be presented to families as part of the transition process.

The district will continue planning for implementation, including transition support for affected students and families. We will also collaborate with the community on how to honor the legacy of Betty Reid Soskin and continue providing updates on next steps.

We understand that these changes are emotional and disruptive for many families. As we redesign the future of WCCUSD, our focus remains on student stability, fiscal responsibility, and supporting every school community through this transition.

We are committed to clear communication, transparency, and continued opportunities for feedback.