04 Dec Richmond Approved $50K in Anticipation of WCCUSD Strike, Welcomed Next Police Chief

“We also know families may respond differently — some will maintain their regular schedules, while others may choose to observe the picket line for personal or moral reasons and keep their children home,” said Mayor Eduardo Martinez, referring to the then-anticipated WCCUSD strike. “Whatever those decisions are, the city should be prepared to offer support.” (Screenshot captured by Samantha Kennedy / The CC Pulse)

By Samantha Kennedy

Richmond City Council on Tuesday approved an emergency allocation of $50,000 to operate services and provide support for West Contra Costa Unified students during an anticipated teachers’ strike, which came to pass two days later.

“We also know families may respond differently — some will maintain their regular schedules, while others may choose to observe the picket line for personal or moral reasons and keep their children home,” said Mayor Eduardo Martinez, who co-sponsored the item with council member Claudia Jimenez. “Whatever those decisions are, the city should be prepared to offer support.”

The United Teachers of Richmond, which represents around 1,500 district teachers, said Monday that they would go on strike Thursday after months of failed negotiations. They’ll be joined by another 1,500 from Teamsters Local 856, who are paraprofessionals and clerical staff and voted down a tentative agreement with WCCUSD. 

School supervisors too plan to hold a sympathy strike with the unions. 

“Today,” Francisco Ortiz, UTR president, wrote after the allocation, “our community made something very clear: We are not standing alone.” 

UTR and the district have been at odds over various items during bargaining. Union leaders want a 5% annual increase over the next two years and full healthcare coverage, but WCCUSD has only offered a 3% raise and accepted a fact-finding report’s healthcare changes. 

Other sticking points have to do with case loads for some special education educators and pathways for international educators. 

WCCUSD has remained consistent in the reasoning behind its bargaining proposals: The district can’t afford it.

School board members slashed millions from its budget this year and will have to do so soon again to stay aligned with its plan to stay fiscally solvent. 

But UTR has pushed back on the district’s finances, accusing leaders of mishandling funds and, when the group came to City Council in February, of “manufacturing” a fiscal crisis. 

The district also faces, like districts across the state, a teacher shortage, high caseloads for special education educators, and high turnover. 

Superintendent Cheryl Cotton has said that a strike “will not fix” those problems, but told community members that schools will remain open if a strike happens. 

The district has an FAQ on its website about what parents should know if a strike happens. 

The RYSE Center and YES Nature to Neighborhoods will also coordinate with the city to support students. 

The union declared impasse in August, which eventually led to a fact-finding report issued the night after Thanksgiving. The report recommended a 6% raise over two years and a gradual increase in healthcare coverage from 80% to 90%, but union leaders said it fell short.

The two parties met Monday, after which UTR gave the required 48-hour strike notice. 

UTR first went to Richmond elected officials in February to put pressure on the district’s handling of its finances, but council members were split. Richmond Progressive Alliance-aligned members, including Jimenez and Martinez, the former of which sits on the group’s steering committee with Ortiz, were supportive, but council members like Soheila Bana said they didn’t want to “step on toes.”

Richmond is home to most WCCUSD students, and almost every member of the school board represents a school within city limits. 

Board member Guadalupe Enllana, who represents Area 2, said Tuesday that she doesn’t take the potential impact of a strike lightly. 

“I remain fully committed to working toward a student-centered, fair agreement that reflects our values and leads to better outcomes for every child,” she said on social media. 

If the strike does happen, substitute teachers will be paid up to $550 per day. That’s almost double the usual amount, which district leaders said was necessary to attract teachers and have them cross a picket line. 

Ed. note: See more about the WCCUSD teachers strike from The Pulse and photojournalist Denis Perez-Bravo on Instagram.

City Introduces New Police Chief

Hours after announcing Chief Bisa French’s successor, the city formally introduced Assistant Chief Timothy Simmons as the next chief of police. 

Simmons, who has been with the department for 17 years, will take over on Jan. 17, the day after French’s retirement. 

Simmons will bring the vision and commitment of “community-centered policing that will help move Richmond forward,” said City Manager Shasa Curl.

“We are confident that, under Simmons’ leadership, the department will continue strengthening trust, transparency and public safety along RPD staff, Richmond residents, businesses and community partners to build on current progress and ensure a safe and thriving Richmond for all,” said Curl at Tuesday’s meeting.

Curl said that the decision came after an “extensive selection process” that included input from stakeholders such as city staff and interview panels. 

French leaves the department after having been the first woman and woman of color in the role in RPD’s history. Next, according to a social media statement from the Family Justice Center, she will serve as its executive director beginning March 4, 2026, when it ushers in “its next chapter of impact.”