West Contra Costa
Unified School District
Superintendent's Office
Leadership & Administration for West Contra Costa Unified School District
1108 Bissell Ave, Richmond, CA 94801
Cheryl Cotton
Superintendent of Schools
11th Permanent Superintendent WCCUSD Graduate First African American Woman to Serve as Permanent WCCUSD Superintendent
Cheryl Cotton serves as WCCUSD's 11th permanent superintendent and the first permanent African American woman to hold the role. A proud graduate of WCCUSD schools, Cotton served for 14 years in the district as both a school principal and a Human Resources Director. Her deep roots in the community and decades of education leadership reflect a continued commitment to the students and families of West Contra Costa.
Cotton earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Arts in Education from Mills College. She resides in the Bay Area with her family.
She previously served as Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction at the California Department of Education (CDE), where she held leadership positions in Human Resources and Labor Relations. She also held leadership positions in human resources in the Albany Unified School District and the Contra Costa County Office of Education.
Our Mission
The Superintendent's Office serves as the central hub for the district's leadership and administration, where strategic decisions are made to guide WCCUSD's educational and operational goals. Key activities include overseeing district-wide initiatives, addressing community concerns, managing the district's goals for academic achievement, and working on policies related to school safety, funding, and educational programs. It is a vital part of the district's overall operations, ensuring that leadership is well-supported in its mission to provide quality education for all students.