California Educator

September 2016

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West Sacramento Teachers at Impasse After 11 months of frustrating bargaining to halt teacher turnover and increase compensation, Washington Teachers Association (WTA) members in West Sacramento are await- ing a neutral fact finder's report that might help defuse a simmering showdown. "People are frustrated," says Don Stauffer, president of the 425-member WTA. "It's at the point where relationships with the district are being damaged." Washington Unified School District in Yolo County offered only a 2 percent raise for the 2015-16 school year, when it enjoyed a 14 percent state funding increase. That year, 15 percent of teachers left the district, most seeking better pay nearby. The union is seeking 7 percent in raises over two years, Stauffer says. Get updates at wtateachers.org. By Len Feldman, Cynthia Menzel and Mike Myslinski. #OurVoiceAtTheTable Stockton Teachers Fight for Students On Sept. 8, members of the Stockton Teachers Association (STA) voted 97.2 percent to authorize their executive board to call a strike as necessary to stop the mismanagement and wrongheaded prioritization that are harming Stockton Unified School District (SUSD) students. The 1,800-member STA has been battling since June 2015 to get SUSD to make the classroom and students the top priority. SUSD has received millions of dollars in Local Control Funding Formula funds aimed at helping its students, 90 per- cent of whom are categorized as "high poverty." STA says SUSD should use these funds to attract and retain quality educators for every classroom, reduce class sizes, and support student needs. Instead, SUSD attached its contract offer to 30 more instructional minutes four days a week. STA says students and teachers do not need longer school days — in fact, the extra minutes are dangerous, since many students have long com- mutes and would be walking or traveling home in the dark. The district is offering a 0 (zero) percent salary increase. "Our students are being harmed by this management mal- feasance," says STA President Erich Myers. "Despite receiving millions in new state funding aimed at helping our neediest students, the district is refusing to use any of that funding to support high-quality teaching. Worse yet, district manage- ment has robbed our students by squirreling away dollars intended for the classroom in what is now an obscenely large reser ve fund." 39 September 2016 20062 School of Education apu.edu/explore/education Attend an information meeting on September 29 at 6 p.m. at any APU campus location. Register today at apu.edu/education/meetings/. Teachers See the Possibilities Whether studying cell membranes or the scientific method, students in Leslie Sandoval's seventh- grade class make connections—to the curriculum, with their teacher and peers, and to the world around them. Azusa Pacific's School of Education prepares educators like Leslie to see and cultivate the potential in every student. Graduates go on to make a lasting difference as creative, collaborative professionals and dedicated advocates for those they serve. Advance your calling with a master's or doctoral degree, credential, or certificate from a top Christian university and join a mentoring community of educators who will help you make an even greater impact. Programs available online and at locations throughout Southern California 6 Lone Hill Middle School, Third Period, Life Sciences, Teacher: Leslie Sandoval, M.A.Ed. '04

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