Tensions high in San Rafael City Schools contract talks

A contract dispute between San Rafael City Schools and its elementary teachers union is moving to a state-assisted fact-finding process following the failure of mediated talks, the Marin Independent Journal reported.

At the same time, the San Rafael Teachers Association and the district disagree on whether a new contract offer proposed by the district last week — just after more than 20 hours of mediation ended — was appropriate.

Molly O’Donoghue, the union vice president, said the district’s latest offer was “illegal, improper and in bad faith” because of its timing. “It was put forth during the impasse process, between mediation and fact-finding,” she said.

She declined to comment on the details of the district’s proposal, telling the Independent Journal the union is “maintaining confidentiality.”

District Superintendent Jim Hogeboom said its latest offer was a 13% pay increase over two years — 10% for the current school year and 3% in 2023-24. That was up from the previous district proposal for a 4.7% increase in the current school year, retroactive to July 1.

The union has sought a 14% pay hike in the current year, retroactive to July 1.