West Contra Costa Unified Schoool District board member Leslie Reckler will not seek reelection

As filing for the race for two West Contra Costa Unified School District board seats opened Monday, July 13, board member Leslie Reckler announced that she would not seek reelection on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Reckler is the trustee representing Area 5, which consists of El Cerrito, Kensington, and a portion of Richmond.

Caitlin Garibaldi has already announced that she will be seeking the position. Garibaldi has lived in El Cerrito for seven years, is a Fairmont Elementary School parent, and works in pet care. Garibaldi has filed FPPC documents indicating she plans to be a candidate and establishing a “Garibaldi for WCCUSD Trustee 2026” campaign committee. She has also set up a campaign website.

Reckler has served on the board for six years. She was first elected in 2020 to a two-year term. While WCCUSD terms are usually for four years, two board members were elected to two-year terms that year as part of the school district’s transition from at-large elections to area elections. The other board member elected to a two-year term was Demetrio Gonzalez-Hoy of Area 4. Both Reckler and Gonzalez-Hoy were re-elected in 2022 for four-year terms.

Gonzalez-Hoy announced his reelection bid on social media on July 9. He has filed both the FPPC document indicating his intent to run and the paperwork establishing the “Demetrio Gonzalez for WCCUSD School Board Area 4, 2026” committee.

Area 4 includes El Sobrante, parts of Richmond and San Pablo, and a sliver of Pinole.

Here is Reckler’s Facebook post:

"Friends,

"Today marks the opening of the filing period for the November 2026 election. My name will not be among those pulling papers.

"I am not seeking re-election to the West Contra Costa Unified School District Board of Education.

"The 2025–2026 school year marked my 20th year of service to our school district and community. My journey began in 2005 when I enrolled my child in kindergarten. At the time, the district was in bankruptcy overseen by a state-appointed administrator. California ranked about 35th out of 50 in per-pupil spending, and had the lowest staffing ratios in the country. What started as a parent's desire to help grew into two decades of volunteering, advocacy, committee work, and service on the Board of Education.

"Twenty years is a nice round number, and it is time to hang it up.

"Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving our children, our families, and our community. I am deeply grateful to everyone who placed their trust in me, challenged me, supported me, and worked alongside me over the years.

"I will do whatever I can to help the next trustee succeed.

"With gratitude,

Leslie Reckler

WCCUSD Trustee, Area 5"

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