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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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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Organized Labor: Keeping Transit on Track

September 2024—Managing Attorney Richard Marcantonio writes (with Alex Lantsberg, research and advocacy director for the SF Electrical Construction Industry) “Keeping Transit on Track: A Coalition of Labor and Community Members Rises to Ensure That Bay Area Transit Finally Gets the Stable, Steadfast Funding It Deserves“, a guest column for Organized Labor: The official publication [...]

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Patch: CA Proposition 2: $10B Bond Measure To Build Schools Explained

September 24, 2024—Patch Editor Chris Lindahl breaks down the school facilities modernization bond on the November California ballot, highlighting issues raised by partners such as Lynwood Unified Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite and PA Managing Attorney John Affeldt. Districts such as Los Angeles Unified and San Francisco United, which have high property values are flush with […]

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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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