By Eleanor Boswell-Raine,
Globe Managing Editor

West Contra Costa Unified School District Superintendent Bruce Harter delivered his second annual “State of our Schools” address at DeJean Middle School in Richmond earlier this month.
   Harter, clearly the district’s CEO, gave a corporate-style Power Point presentation to West Contra Costa County business, government and community leaders, educators and residents. Navigating color-coded slides, he outlined WCCUSD activities, achievements and serious financial concerns and shared inspiring images of students engaged in educational activities. Harter discussed disturbing achievement disparities and the $3.5 million General Fund loss brought about by increases in employee health benefits costs and declining student enrollments.
    He voiced hope for a strong voter turnout in favor of a proposed parcel tax needed to fill the financial sinkhole. According to Harter, the tax has the potential to fund 33 library staff positions, 37 counselors and 24 other positions, along with athletic programs.

    Communicating the enormity of the district’s challenges, Harter said, “We’re going to have to jump as high as we can jump.” He said WCCUSD will have to reduce its budget to pay for health care costs and debt in the coming years. During 2007, the district has already paid out $45 million — an increase of $5 million. Enrollment is down 650 students from last year, resulting in a reduction in the number of teachers and administrative staff.

    Demonstrating the district’s improved use of data to monitor student achievement and learning, Harter showed graphs displaying district demographics, achievement gaps by ethnicity and student testing data.
    Harter highlighted the district’s emphasis on career academies for information technology, multi-media and communications, law and justice, environmental studies, health, performing arts, business, science and engineering and bio-technology. He also spoke of afterschool learning programs, and discussed the results of student, parent and teacher surveys conducted in 2007.
    Prior to the address, WCCUSD presented recognition awards to Junior Achievement of the Bay Area Inc.; Dale Peterson of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 302; Vernon Whitmore of The Globe Newspaper Group; Bio-Rad Laboratories; and community leader Antonio Medrano.
    The district’s Nutrition Center catered the event, and students from the Hercules High School string ensemble provided musical entertainment.