Vallejo educators to rally for more pay, student success

Members of the Vallejo teachers union will be rallying and addressing board members at Thursday night’s regular meeting to push the district to better serve students and increase pay.

After five months of negotiations, the Vallejo Education Association (VEA) and the Vallejo City Unified School District (VCUSD) declared an impasse at the end of February and have a state-appointed mediator, according to the California Teachers Association (CTA). The first mediation will be next week.

“VCUSD management refuses to invest in students by prioritizing educators in their budget, despite record school funding increases” during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years, CTA officials said. “While the district is experiencing declining student enrollment, management has budgeted more in services, operating expenses, materials, supplies and consultants, but almost no additional investment in educators.”

Vallejo educators are some of the lowest-paid among nearby counties, including Solano, Napa and Contra Costa. According to CTA, management is refusing to agree to a “meaningful” and competitive cost-of-living raise.

“We are tired of losing experienced teachers to surrounding districts,” VEA President Kevin Steele said in a statement.

The Pittsburg Education Association (PEA) also held a rally this week calling for improvement in safety conditions for students and staff, no more top-down decision making, more pay, support and preparation time for adult education educators, and dedicated time to complete report cards and progress reports.

“Since August 2023 we have been bargaining with Pittsburg Unified School District management for the schools our students deserve, and we will not settle for anything less,” President Celia Medina-Owens said. “They deserve the tools and resources necessary to thrive, which includes a permanent and qualified educator in every classroom.”