News Update

Natomas teachers union drops labor charge against district

The Natomas Teachers’ Association will withdraw an unfair labor charge filed against Natomas Unified in early April, the Sacramento Bee reports. The lawsuit was filed after the school district announced it planned to bring elementary school students back to campus five days a week, which teachers argued was not an adequate amount of time to prepare for lessons and a transition back to in-person instruction.

The agreement was reached after about two days of discussions, and Natomas Unified will move forward with its plan to open elementary schools five days a week beginning April 12.

As part of the agreement, teachers will receive $250 to help pay for instructional materials, a one-time $1,000 stipend for teaching both in-person and remote students, and a stipend for additional teacher prep time, office hours and other resources. The district also announced plans for a 1% ongoing salary increase for teachers.

“Since the pandemic began, the Natomas Teachers’ Association has been committed to being a voice for students, educators and safety. We are pleased that this latest agreement with the district recognizes educators’ hard work and additional need for resources during this unprecedented time,” said Brenda Borge, Natomas Teachers’ Association president. “Together with the gains made in prior agreements, the steady voice of educators over this past year has helped ensure that classroom needs are met and safety remains a priority. Our teachers look forward to being back in the classroom on Monday following our spring break and finishing out strong during these last nine weeks of the school year.”