Teachers Demand Change to Improve Conditions for Students
Educators in the West Contra Costa Unified School District are raising alarms about working conditions they claim are detrimental to students. During a recent rally at DeJean Middle School in Richmond, California, teachers and staff from the United Teachers of Richmond union emphasized the urgent need for significant improvements as they negotiate a new contract.
Union members, donned in bright red T-shirts, voiced their demands for more competitive wages, reduced contracted work hours, and enhanced working conditions. With approximately 28,000 students attending the district’s 56 campuses, they argue that better conditions for educators will translate into a more effective educational environment.
The rally featured a series of passionate speeches from teachers, counselors, students, and parents. Many shared concerning experiences, such as classrooms reaching temperatures of nearly 90 degrees for extended periods and high-needs students lacking essential support services like speech therapy. They also highlighted issues like overcrowded classrooms, high teacher turnover, and the expectation for educators to serve as substitutes during their preparation periods.
“This is not just bad management; this is a betrayal of our trust. This is about justice for the most vulnerable students in our system,” stated Francisco Ortiz, president of the United Teachers of Richmond. “Our students can’t wait. Our families can’t wait. And you must act now to provide fully staffed, stable schools and deliver the services that our children deserve.”
Negotiations between the school district and the union have been ongoing for over a year, with teachers currently operating under a contract that expired in June 2023. The district’s office did not respond immediately to requests for comment, though Superintendent Cheryl Cotton mentioned during a recent board meeting that they are committed to “good faith bargaining” and value every member of the school community.
Discussions have reached a standstill, with both parties presenting vastly different proposals. While educators are seeking pay raises, the district has offered 0% pay increases. Teachers are advocating for smaller class sizes for fourth graders and above, but the district has proposed increasing classroom sizes for these grades. Additionally, the union has called for reasonable temperature controls in classrooms, a request that the district has rejected.
Financial challenges have complicated negotiations. The district has noted a decline in student enrollment, lower daily attendance rates, and rising operational costs, leading to difficult cuts to prevent potential state intervention. This situation is reminiscent of the district’s history; known as Richmond Unified at the time, it lost control to the state in 1990 due to financial instability, requiring a $29 million loan for recovery, which was repaid in 2012.
The Contra Costa County Office of Education has approved the district’s budget documents on the condition that they cut $32.7 million in expenditures. Despite these financial constraints, union members have raised questions about the true extent of the district’s fiscal issues. They argue that budget estimates may be overstated and that excessive spending on outsourced services could be reallocated to adequately compensate staff.
The union warns that failing to address these issues will lead to further staff departures and declining student performance. “WCC must make really big changes in order to fully staff our schools and make the working conditions sustainable,” remarked Cantika Sasono, a math teacher at Richmond High School and a bargaining member of the United Teachers of Richmond. “It starts with coming to an agreement with UTR and Teamsters.”
As negotiations continue, the focus remains on how the district can balance financial realities with the pressing need for improved conditions that ensure both teachers and students can thrive.
