Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1543424
REDLANDS: Educators, ESPs unite to fight for their students and community Credentialed and classified educators are united in Redlands, rallying together as both Redlands Teachers Association (RTA) and Redlands Educa- tion Support Professionals Association (RESPA) are currently in difficult bargains with the district. Both locals have proposed a 3.3% salary increase while the district is refusing to budge from zero. RTA President Stephen Caperton told the school board at a January meeting that the district is con- tinuing a legacy of not paying educators fairly. "Budgets are moral documents. Like the tide, a cost-of-living increase raises all budget lines, includ- ing salaries," Caperton said. "Over the years, this district has made a conscious choice to prioritize van- ity projects and administrative growth over the quality of life of its employees and the learning conditions of its students." APPLE VALLEY: Educators reach tentative agreement on a contract that prioritizes students After incredible demonstrations of solidarity at multiple picket lines and the strength of 91% of members voting in support of striking, Apple Valley Unified Teachers Association (AVUTA) members reached an agreement with Apple Valley Unified School District on Feb. 12. AVUTA members stood firm for smaller class sizes, especially in special education, so each student gets the one-on-one attention they deserve. In addition, AVUTA sought a fair salary increase that reflects the rising cost of living, allowing teachers to be com- pensated competitively with surrounding districts, and called for additional funding for health and welfare benefits. Despite healthy reserves, the school district, located in San Ber- nardino County, had refused to invest in educator recruitment and retention, instead bloating administrator salaries and spending on outside consultants. This had created a situation where 77 educa- tors resigned from the district in just over a year. hope that being included as partners in student success will make Calbright College even better. Calbright is an online community college with administra- tive offices in Sacramento. The addition of currently unrepresented part-time faculty more than doubles the current size of CFA, and brings all education workers at Calbright College into one collective bargaining unit. Part-time inclusion into the full-time faculty contract will be a subject of bargaining immediately, which began last month. 45 W I N T E R 2 0 26 A