06 Jun Former WCCUSD Student Becomes Its First Black Woman Superintendent

Cheryl Cotton, the new superintendent of the West Contra Costa Unified School District, holds a photo of her first grade class, which was taught by her mother, a teacher in the district for 42 years. (Louis Freedberg / EdSource)

By Samantha Kennedy

Cheryl Cotton knows a thing or two about West Contra Costa Unified. The Richmond-raised educator is a WCCUSD graduate, former district administrator and WCCUSD parent — to a former student trustee, no less. Now, she’s returning home to lead the district as its new superintendent.

Cotton was officially appointed Wednesday, making her the first African American woman to serve in the permanent role. The pick comes after a months-long search to replace Kenneth “Chris” Hurst following his departure in December for family reasons.

“I am honored to return to the community that shaped my educational journey and professional path,” Cotton said in a statement. “Together, we will center equity, support student success, and uplift the voices of our families and educators to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.”

Cotton’s contract is for a three-year term for $325,000 starting June 20 and lasting until 2028. She’ll take over for Moses a week and a half before the district expected a new superintendent to do so, according to the district’s original timeline with Leadership Associates.

Cotton spent 14 years with WCCUSD beginning in 2004, according to the district, in between stints at the San Francisco Unified School District as a principal and at Albany Unified. During her time at WCCUSD, she served as a principal at Valley View and Madera elementary schools and as the district’s director of human resources.

After leaving WCCUSD, Cotton worked at the California Department of Education as deputy superintendent of public instruction in the instruction, measurement and administration department and as deputy superintendent of human resources and labor relations.

Cotton’s appointment received unanimous support from the board, with the exception of member Cinthia Hernandez, who was absent.

“WCCUSD, Ms. Cotton is not a superhero. She is an amazing leader, teacher, educator and mother,” board member Jamela Smith-Folds said in a post, whose comments mirrored those she made at Wednesday’s meeting. “I will NOT allow you to expect her to save us. We are in this together. Student, parent, community member, teacher, administrator, and other employees, we have to all be together.”

Smith-Folds, during the superintendent search, sought someone familiar with the district who was choosing “everything [WCCUSD] is.”

“If you’ve never attended a board meeting, a (Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee) meeting, or community meetings, do not apply because you are not ready for who we are. We are unique,” she said then.

That uniqueness is compounded by issues districts are facing across the state — budget cuts, declining enrollment and teacher shortages. Enrollment, which determines how much funding a district receives, declined in WCCUSD during the 2024-25 school year, according to data recently released by the California Department of Education last month.

Cotton also comes to the district as it looks to increase anti-racist efforts following incidents of racism, including the use of racial slurs at a baseball game, alleged discrimination against Black Student Unions, widespread use of the n-word and racist messages directed at district leaders. The district made a “culturally competent, anti-racist” leader a priority for its new superintendent during the search.

She succeeds interim Superintendent Kim Moses, also a Black woman. One other Black woman, Cynthia LeBlanc, has also served in the position temporarily.

Moses, who has served in the interim role since Hurst’s departure, will return to her position as the district’s chief business officer.