Natomas District Reaches Agreement With Teachers’ Union

BY BRANDY TUZON BOYD
THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

After months of strife, the Natomas Unified School District has reached a tentative labor agreement with its teachers’ union.


If ratified by a majority of Natomas Teachers’ Association members next month, the agreement will be in effect for a two-year period ending June 30, 2014 and will finally conclude negotiations for the 2011-12 school year.


“Once again, the members of the Natomas Teacher’s Association have invested in the schools and the community we serve. The teachers are dedicated professionals who are interested in educating our students and working. collaboratively in a respectful environment,” said Kristen Rocha, union president. “We look forward to continuing a positive and productive working relationship with the new superintendent Mr. Chris Evans.”


Details of the agreement were not available pending notification of the union’s members who are currently on summer break.


The Public Employment Relations Board declared an impasse earlier this year when talks broke down between the Natomas school district and its teachers’ union.


District officials sought additional, retroactive concessions for the 2011-12 school year to balance the Natomas Unified budget. The teachers’ union disputed the need for more pay cuts, pointing to a multimillion-dollar reserve.


The district and union participated in a fact-finding hearing last week on July 10. Immediately after the hearing, the two parties entered into two days of talks which resulted in the tentative agreement.


“This tentative agreement is a significant step forward for our students and our community,” superintendent Evans said. “I appreciate the effort made by our NTA leaders and am thankful for their leadership. I look forward to a continued, positive working relationship with our teachers.”


The district and union have waived timeline requirements to allow teachers on summer break a chance to meet and vote on the tentative agreement in August.


The union has about 410 members.