Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1505501
Leslie Gill called Jeffries a hero for her actions, and asked how the district could punish the only person who defended stu- dents during the incident. "I was expecting her to get kudos. Mary Jeffries is the only person who stepped up and we should all be thanking her and giving her an award," says Gill. "is district needs to do a lot more to support LGBTQ+ students and teachers." SJTA President Renata Sanchez spoke at the school board meeting, pointing out that the board had an opportunity to intervene and prevent Jeffries from being dragged through the experience, but failed to act. "Our teachers spent more than $23,000 of our dues money to defend Ms. Jeffries and we were glad to do it," Sanchez said, referring to the arbitrator's fees. "She deserves an apology for her treatment, and this can never happen again. Jeffries says in all her time as a SJTA member, she never anticipated she would need the union, explaining that as long as she did her job correctly, she thought it would get her through any issues. She says that without the support from SJTA and CTA legal staff, she might not have appealed the decision and just accepted the suspension. "It was a year and a half process. I am sure I would've fallen down and said, 'I'm done.' It's just a little too much to go up against your employer like that. Having SJTA's support gave me confidence and strength that I was right," Jeffries says. "It matters so much that I have been supported by my colleagues, especially because they understand that it's not safe right now for LGBTQ+ people." Governor Signs 2023- 24 State Budget G O V . G A V I N N E W S O M signed the 2023-24 State Budget package on July 10, following an agreement reached with the Legislature in late June. The budget includes a Prop. 98 minimum funding level for public education of $108.3 billion and an 8.22% Cost- of-Living Adjustment (COLA). Further details available at cta.org. 44 cta.org Advocacy THE CTA ® CUSTOMIZED CASH REWARDS VISA SIGNATURE ® CREDIT CARD Gas • Online Shopping • Dining • Travel • Drug Stores Home Improvement & Furnishings 3 % in the category of your choice CUSTOMIZED CASH BACK Earn 2% and 3% cash back on the fi rst $2,500 in combined grocery store/ wholesale club/ choice category purchases each quarter, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. $ 200 Amazon.com Gift Card Bonus after you make at least $500 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening (students not eligible) This offer is unique to this solicitation. Our credit card offers may vary and this offer may not be available elsewhere, such as, if you visit ctamemberbene ts.org. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now. For more information about the rates, fees, other costs and bene ts associated with the use of the credit card, call the toll-free number above or visit www.newcardonline.com and refer to the disclosures accompanying the application. Residents of the US and its territories only. See full disclosure for details. Federal law prohibits students from receiving a premium. Restrictions apply, see amazon.com/gc-legal. This credit card program is issued and administered by Bank of America, N.A. Visa and Visa Signature are registered trademarks of Visa International Service Association, and are used by the issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A., Inc. Bank of America and the Bank of America logo are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. The Contactless Symbol and Contactless Indicator are trademarks owned by and used with permission of EMVCo, LLC. ©2023 Bank of America Corporation CC050823 5788562 MB0823-AD-CAEDU TO APPLY TODAY: call 888.758.7946 or visit newcardonline.com Mention Priority Code BAAFRH PLUS, A MAXIMIZE YOUR REWARDS