Summer Maxwell
@summermaxwell.bsky.social
Bay area journalist, Boston born & raised
Latest work from my incredible colleague @summermaxwell.bsky.social and I’s reporting on WCCUSD’s low public school enrollment rates and how it’s impacting families and students in Richmond, California. Here’s the thread:
WCCUSD schools are losing students to charter schools at alarming rate, stressing district budget
The West Contra Costa Unified School District is losing students, and state funding, to charter schools at an alarming rate.
richmondconfidential.org
Just passed the sixth month mark since my opinion piece ran in the CommonWealth Beacon, and the state has taken no action to improve conditions there, despite another scathing conditions report released in July. Read more here. commonwealthbeacon.org/opinion/its-...
It's past time to move Bridgewater State Hospital out of the Department of Correction
THE REPORT RELEASED in March condemning Bridgewater State Hospital —Massachusetts’s state psychiatric facility — felt more like a broken record than a
commonwealthbeacon.org
So much fun to participate in my first live election coverage! It truly takes a village, and I'm so proud of what we produced. See Richmond Confidential's Election Day Coverage here. richmondconfidential.org/2024/11/05/e...
ELECTION DAY COVERAGE: Richmond voters turn out for possible 'historic' outcome, with few lines at the polls
Richmond Confidential will be talking to voters at polls across Richmond, providing continuous updates throughout the day on on social media.
richmondconfidential.org
Such a pleasure to learn more about Anthony Caro and Daniel Nathan-Heiss, the two candidates for the Contra Costa County Board of Education in my pre-election Q&A with them, designed to better inform voters. See what they had to say here. richmondconfidential.org/2024/11/01/q...
Q&A with candidates for county Education Board, which oversees WCCUSD’s finances
Two Richmond residents are vying to represent Area 1 on the Contra Costa County Board of Education: Anthony Caro and Daniel Nathan-Heiss.
richmondconfidential.org
El Cerrito High School has forfeited the first six games of its football season following an announcement from the principal that ineligible athletes had played in games. Parents are students are now fighting to overturn the decision. Find out more here. richmondconfidential.org/2024/10/25/w...
WCCUSD investigates alleged ringers on El Cerrito football team, forcing Gauchos to forfeit 6 games and prompting student walkout
The El Cerrito Gauchos forfeit 6 football games for "ineligible" players, prompting student walk-out, calls for coach to be reinstated.
richmondconfidential.org
WCCUSD just got handed a big win by a Contra Costa County Superior Court judge in a case that would have forced it to repair Stege Elementary and fill teacher vacancies. Read more here. richmondconfidential.org/2024/10/17/w...
WCCUSD wins case that would have forced it to repair school, hire more teachers
A Contra Costa County judge sides with WCCUSD in case that would have forced it to repair school, hire more teachers.
richmondconfidential.org
The West Contra Costa Unified School District is facing a $15 million deficit next year if it doesn’t slash $7 million from its budget. That means some painful cuts are imminent. Read about it here. richmondconfidential.org/2024/10/01/r...
WCCUSD taking action to address projected $7 million deficit
To remain within its projected spending limits, the West Contra Costa Unified School District must shave $7 million from its 2025-2026 budget.
richmondconfidential.org
Massachusetts suddenly announced the closure of one of its most prominent prisons. I spoke to state officials and an individual formerly incarcerated there to find out more. www.tuftsdaily.com/article/2024...
Oldest men’s prison in Mass. to permanently close - The Tufts Daily
The Massachusetts Department of Correction announced on Jan. 24 its plans to close the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Concord, a medium-security men’s prison, by summer 2024, falling i...
tuftsdaily.com
Hey everyone! I’m a reporter based in the East Bay, currently covering education for Richmond Confidential and getting my master’s at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. I love to write about schools, business, politics, and nature. Find my latest here.