Schools Chief Pitches $10.2M Measure V Renewal as Mayor Questions Test Scores

San Pablo's school superintendent made her case Monday for renewing a $10.2 million-a-year parcel tax as mail ballots began going out to voters. The City Council took no action on the presentation. Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado questioned whether more money alone will lift a district where about a third of students meet state standards. The council also honored breast cancer and domestic violence support groups and voted 4-0 to seat 15 youth commissioners.

---

• Measure V renewal: West Contra Costa Unified seeks a third extension of its 2004 parcel tax at 7.2 cents per square foot.
• Mayor presses on proficiency: She cited 33.4% of students meeting state standards in English and math.
• Domestic violence spotlight: Council members called for continued funding of therapy, safety planning and hotel vouchers for victims.
• Breast cancer proclamation: Police launched their pink patch campaign, and a nonprofit promoted its free support groups.
• 15 youth commissioners appointed 4-0 after a great-grandmother urged a public swearing-in.

---

1 Big Thing: The Measure V Pitch Meets a Pointed Question

The basics: A parcel tax is a flat property tax charged per parcel or by square footage rather than by assessed value. Measure V would continue West Contra Costa Unified School District's (WCCUSD) existing tax at 7.2 cents per square foot.

Why it matters: The tax raises $10.2 million a year for counselors, libraries, athletics and core academics serving 24,000 students. Superintendent Cheryl Cotton said losing it would be heavily impactful. Mail ballots began going out the same day.

Where things stand: Cotton is a 22-year San Pablo resident in her second year leading the district. She thanked the council for last week's resolution supporting the measure.

"What you supported is not a new tax. It is an extension of a tax that was initially put in place in 2004, and it's been renewed now twice," said Superintendent Cheryl Cotton.

Here is how the money breaks down:

• About $8 million goes to the district and about $2 million goes to local charter schools.
• Seniors and people with disabilities are exempt.
• An independent annual audit has never had a finding, according to Cotton.

Councilmember Arturo Cruz asked whether the revenue flows into the district's general fund. "General fund, that's a tricky question because it's restricted and unrestricted dollars," Cotton replied. She said spending follows voter priorities identified through polling.

Cruz praised the district's Beacon Program partnership with the city. He also cited upgrades at Lake School, new windows at Richmond High and work at Kennedy. He credited the district's local hiring and its project labor agreements (PLAs), which are pre-negotiated union terms for construction work.

Councilmember Abel Pineda commended the district's quick response to recent community concerns, which he did not specify. He tied the measure to San Pablo's own ballot measure, which he said funds scholarships for college and trades. Vice Mayor Rita Xavier drew on her education background in Buffalo, New York.

The other side: Mayor Pabon-Alvarado offered the meeting's only real pushback.

"33.4% of the students meet or exceed the state standard in English and in mathematics. I don't believe that it's all money related," said Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado.

She pointed to Massachusetts as a model. "The funding that you're asking the voters to vote for, would any of that go to look at other states and see how they do it so that we can try some of it?" she asked.

Cotton did not commit Measure V dollars to that work. She cited the district's national partnerships and her three-part strategy. "We had Norwegian educators and administrators visit Perry's Elementary School in Richmond just 2 weeks ago," she said. The mayor said that what holds the district back is a subject for another conversation.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: No vote was taken, and no members of the public spoke. Property owners will pay if the measure passes. Students, counselors and charter schools stand to lose funding if it fails. The mayor's skepticism signals that the council's support comes with expectations on results.

What's next: Voters decide Measure V on ballots now arriving by mail.

---

Council Presses Family Justice Center on Victim Services

Why it matters: Police Chief Bubar said much of the abuse in a small, diverse community happens behind closed doors. Council members used the proclamation to ask how victims actually get help.

Where things stand: The council recognized October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Bubar opened with national and call-volume figures.

"Over 43 million women and 20 million men will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime," said Police Chief Bubar. He added that law enforcement responded to more than 157,000 domestic violence calls in 2025.

Andres Orduño, a navigator at the Family Justice Center, said the center provides lawyers, housing and therapy. He said call volume rises around the holidays. "I recently learned that the biggest day that people call for domestic violence is on Super Bowl Sunday," he said.

Councilmember Cruz asked about prevention for emotional abuse. Orduño described the Trauma Recovery (TRC) therapy program and CHAT, a partner program that works with whole families after violence, including both the abuser and the survivor.

Cruz also asked how victims are separated from abusers. Orduño described lethality assessments, safety planning and a partnership with STAND to move clients to safe locations. "If they don't have a family that they can go to, we do help them with hotel vouchers," he said. Cruz noted that these calls are among the most dangerous for officers.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The proclamation was ceremonial. It recognizes physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, economic and digital abuse. Pineda warned against normalizing the issue.

"How do we make sure that the appropriate resources, support, safeguards exist, and that we continue to fund those things? Because they do make a difference. It can quite literally be life and death," said Councilmember Abel Pineda.

Xavier disclosed that she serves on the board of Lao Family Community Development, which houses victims at its Sacramento location. The mayor called for state, county, city and community coordination to stop violence before it begins. She also credited the Latina Center's work in the Latino community.

---

Breast Cancer Month Brings Free Support Message

Where things stand: The council presented its October 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Month proclamation, approved at the previous meeting, to Julie Barr, director of clinical programming at Cancer Support Community. Police officers will wear and sell pink patches, shirts and keychains to raise funds.

"In fact, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer," said Police Chief Bubar. He projected more than 321,000 diagnoses and more than 42,000 deaths this year.

Barr is a four-year survivor. She said her group runs 30 support groups, four of them focused on breast cancer. "We actually offer a group for people who haven't even been diagnosed yet but know they're at high risk," she said.

Cruz urged residents to get screened and asked whether the group offers screenings. Barr said it is not a medical facility and does not screen patients, but a patient navigator helps people find resources. The organization offers all of its services free; residents can reach it at cancersupport.net or 925-953-0701.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: No vote was taken. Pineda, a living liver donor, urged early detection through at-home and clinic tests. Xavier thanked police for their multiyear campaign.

"I encourage everyone in our community to learn about their individual risk and the screening recommendations that are appropriate for them," said Mayor Pabon-Alvarado.

---

Youth Commission Seated, Swearing-In Request Pending

Where things stand: Vice Mayor Xavier pulled Item 10 from the consent calendar so a resident could speak. The resolution amends the San Pablo Youth Commission's bylaws and appoints 15 commissioners. The bylaw changes were not described during the meeting.

A public commenter spoke in support. She is the great-grandmother of Maricia, an eighth grader and the youngest appointee. She said she reads every council agenda and noted that the commission includes students from charter and public high schools.

"I'm hoping that they will be sworn in in front of — by the council, because I think that really shows our public how important youth are in our civic engagement process," she said.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The resolution passed by roll call. For: 4 (Cruz, Pineda, Xavier, Pabon-Alvarado). Against: 0. Absent: 1 (Councilmember Patricia Ponce). No council member responded to the swearing-in request.

---

• Consent calendar: The council approved the consent calendar, minus Item 10, by a 4-0 vote with Ponce absent. Pineda moved the motion and Cruz seconded. The individual items were not read aloud.
• Ballots out: Contra Costa County Elections began issuing mail ballots Oct. 5. Drop boxes are behind City Hall at 1000 Gateway Ave. and at Contra Costa College, 2600 Mission Bell Drive.
• Community events: Police will host "Pizza with Pablo" Oct. 7, 2-4 p.m., at Happy Friday Park, 1701 Bush Ave. The city's trunk-or-treat is Oct. 29, 4-7 p.m., at City Hall.
• Veterans Day lunch: A recognition ceremony and lunch will be held Nov. 10, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at the San Pablo Senior Center. RSVP is required at 215-3090.
• In memoriam: The council adjourned in memory of Rodolfo Jose Martinez and Dr. Desmond Carson. Martinez was the father of staffer Blanca Martinez Campos. Carson was a West County physician for more than 25 years.

---

Looking ahead: The council next meets Nov. 2. Xavier and the mayor reported attending a mayors' conference in Lafayette, and Xavier also attended a CCTA Planning Committee meeting.