Public Advocates Files Complaint to Address Educator Staffing Concerns in West Contra Costa School District
Attorneys at Public Advocates have uncovered numerous teacher vacancies, and the illegal practice of using rolling substitute teachers instead of filling these vacancies with permanent educators.
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A new report exposes how for-profit developers are exploiting a loophole in state law to impose exorbitant rent increases on low-income residents
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Public Advocates has no current position on Proposition 2.
Prop 2 would borrow $10 billion to help modernize schools and support construction costs, but maintains a discriminatory system of funding that prioritizes higher wealth students and districts.
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New national report on social housing available!
"Building Our Future: Grassroots Reflections on Social Housing" examines a growing movement to create permanently affordable housing that is publicly, collectively or non-profit owned and under community control.
Read the report
Public Advocates urges CA college leaders to protect the rights of students and engage in dialogue
"Student protests are a part of our country’s rich democratic history and have been integral to advancing social justice—on and off of college campuses. We call on university leaders to protect students’ First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly. Regardless of opinion, college administrators owe students an opportunity for expression and dialogue."
Read the full statement.

News

From waging battles for affordable housing throughout the Bay Area to winning increased opportunities for a quality education in the courts, Public Advocates stays in the news. Here’s the latest…

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Grandview Independent: Judge sides with school district in lawsuit over teacher shortages and Stege conditions

October 12, 2024—Reporter Soren Hemmila spoke with Staff Attorney Karissa Provenza about October 11, 2024’s Superior Court decision regarding the lawsuit Public Advocates filed on behalf of six plaintiffs (educators, parents, and students) against West Contra Unified School District for neglecting their responsibility to primarily Black and Brown students, and English learners at [...]

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CalMatters Commentary: California’s needy school districts back a $10 billion bond even though it favors richer schools

October 9, 2024—Guest commentator Jen Byers speaks with Managing Attorney John Affeldt and demand letter complainant Gary Hardie, Jr. regarding the inequities in California’s current system of distributing school facilities repair and modernization matching funds. Despite the fact that students across the state are currently denied equal access to quality facilities within their school [...]

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Richmondside: WCCUSD appoints Kim Moses as interim superintendent

October 1, 2024—Richmondside reporter Natalie Hanson spoke with Public Advocates’ Staff Attorney Karissa Provenza regarding the recent resignation of West Contra Costa Unified School District’s superintendent. Kim Moses, West Contra Costa Unified School District’s associate superintendent of business services, will take over (as the district’s interim superintendent) in [...]

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We challenge the systemic causes of poverty and racial discrimination by strengthening community voices in public policy and achieving tangible legal victories advancing education, housing, transit equity and climate justice.

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