Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1480924
RAVENSWOOD: Another win for students and educators Following up on last year 's landmark agreement that provided educators with a 10 percent pay increase and revamped the district's evaluation system, Ravenswood Teachers Asso- ciation (RTA) ratified in late-August a contract that nets educators a 5.6 per- cent raise and a significant increase to health benefits. RTA President Ronda White said the contract will provide competitive health benefits, which will help the district attract and retain educators that Ravenswood students and families deserve. Before the new contract, an educator with two dependents was paying out of pocket more than $1,600 a month for Kaiser — now, that same coverage will cost $750. White called the last two contracts groundbreaking for educators, taking RTA from the bottom third in the county for educator pay to the top third. White said both bargains are the result of true collaboration with a superintendent who understands the value of a consistent , stable work- force. Additionally, White credited the Ravenswood Education Founda- tion for helping the district fund the increases, and said CTA staff support was invaluable. CONTRA COSTA COUNT Y: Educators rally as negotiations go to fact-finding Members of the Contra Costa County School Education Associ- ation (CCCSEA) continue to organize, picketing at board meetings and school sites as they fight for resources and safe conditions for their students. CCCSEA went through mediation with Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) management in August, but could not reach an agreement that respects students and the teaching profession. CCCSEA urged CCCOE to provide smaller class sizes and ensure a livable wage for edu- cators, said CCCSEA President Christina Morabe. "CCCOE management contin- ues to have a blatant disregard for student and staff safety by insisting on larger class sizes," Morabe said. "We are saying loud and clear that educators will not put up with a shortage of the best resources for our students. They deserve smaller class sizes, stron- ger mental health programs, and curriculum tailored to their needs." CCCSEA is headed into a fact-finding hearing with the district , likely in October. More actions are planned, including informa- tional picketing. Contra Costa County educators rally for smaller class sizes, more resources for students and a living wage. " Together, we are saying loud and clear that educators will not put up with a shortage of the best resources for our students." —CCCSEA President Christina Morabe Educators are very appreciative of the unprecedented settlement, which was overwhelmingly ratified in early September. " This will help with housing prices, with rent increases. It will help people have a better standard of living and weather storms," said association president Tim Pust, noting that inflation has skyrock- eted. —Lisa Gardiner 45 O C T O B E R / N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 2