Negotiations Updates

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Sunday, April 3, 2022

MOU Between SCUSD and SEIU April 3 2022

MOU Between SCUSD and SCTA – Substitute Pay & Extra Work 2021-2022 School Year – April 3, 2022

MOU Between SCUSD and SCTA 2019-2022 Successor Contract and COVID Reopening Schools Negotiations April 3 2022

MOU Between SCUSD and SCTA – Safely Reopening Schools to In-Person Instruction Services & Independent Study – April 3 2022

MOU Between SCUSD and SCTA Nurse Extra Hours 2021 2022 School Year

MOU Between SCUSD and SCTA Temporarily Assigning Training Specialists to Fill Vacant Teaching Positions in the District 3-22-22

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Enhanced Sacramento City Unified School District Proposal to the Sacramento City Teachers Association 2019-2022 Successor Contract Negotiations and 2021-2022 COVID and Reopening Negotiations

Monday, March 21, 2022

Sacramento City Unified School District Proposal to the Sacramento City Teachers Association 2019-2022 Successor Contract Negotiations and 2021-2022 COVID and Reopening Negotiations

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Report and Recommendation of Fact Finding Panel – PERB Case No SA-IM-3546-E – Dissent

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Report and Recommendation of Fact Finding Panel – PERB Case No SA-IM-3546-E

Friday, March 11, 2022

SCUSD Supplemental Information for Fact Finding

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Letter to SCTA Regarding Accurate Communications on Fact Finding

Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Please see this letter which was sent to all SCUSD staff this evening:

 

Dear colleagues,

I have heard questions and concerns from many of our school sites about Sacramento City Teachers Association’s (SCTA) current efforts to vote for a strike. I know that hearing about a potential strike and potential disruption to student learning can be extremely unsettling. In response I am sharing the following information.

In recognition that teaching and learning during a pandemic has presented extra challenges, Sac City Unified has tried since last July to problem solve and reach an agreement with SCTA to address COVID-related challenges for the 2021-22 school year. Our goal was to ensure that schools could reopen safely and the district could provide the best education possible under the constraints of the pandemic.

The problem-solving proposals that we presented as early as August 2021 included:

After working for months trying to reach agreement with SCTA on these matters, the district sought a declaration of impasse in December 2021 from the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). Neutral mediators were called in to facilitate talks, but after several sessions the mediators recommended that both parties participate in a Fact Finding process with the goal of resolving outstanding issues so an agreement on the COVID-related issues for this school year could be reached.

In our impasse filing to PERB, we narrowly defined our disagreements as stemming from COVID and our efforts to reopen our schools and protect continuity of learning. Since we are now nearly at the last quarter of our school year, we are still eager to resolve these outstanding issues in a way that best serves all students.

We are on two separate negotiations tracks. The first is over our school reopening plans related to COVID-19. The second is over the full successor contract to our current agreement that lapsed in July 2019. The district and SCTA have both acknowledged that we are not at impasse over successor contract negotiations. The fact finding process we are in has nothing to do with inaccurate claims about “health benefit takeaways” or “salary freezes” that SCTA union leadership has used to urge SCTA members to strike.

To be clear, the district did not file for impasse due to negotiations about a successor contract.  As such, the district cannot impose changes to health benefits and other matters as a result of the current Fact Finding process because we are not at impasse over those matters. If SCTA union leadership leverages the Fact Finding process to include successor contract issues into the hearing, it will enable SCTA to bypass further legitimate talks on our broader successor agreement and disregard the purpose of the impasse process.

A strike will cause chaos for students and families.

After nearly three school years of interrupted learning due to COVID-related school closures, illness, and quarantines, it is unconscionable that SCTA is threatening a strike to shut down our schools. This is offensive to all of our families that have been waiting for their children’s school experience to get back to normal. Taking away students’ access to learning time and the support services that our schools provide is inappropriate. This is especially hurtful and harmful to our most vulnerable students who count on our schools as safe havens, and families who do not have the luxury of keeping their children unsupervised at home.

Striking employees stand to lose income.

A strike will also hurt our employees because they will lose wages for every day off the job, thus hurting students, families, and employees.

A path forward.

While our district works to avoid an unnecessary and detrimental strike, please be aware that a lot of misleading and false information is being circulated. Please refer to SCUSD’s Negotiations Updates web page for accurate information, including proposals and counterproposals related to COVID-19 and updates about negotiations. I encourage you to demand and review credible sourced information.

The district remains committed to working through the current impasse process to reach agreement on COVID-related issues for the 2021-22 school year. We are also committed to continuing successor contract negotiations with SCTA and hope to reach an agreement that is in the best interest of our students, staff, and community. 

Sincerely,

Superintendent Jorge Aguilar

Friday, March 4, 2022

Scope of Issues for Fact-Finding

Monday, December 13, 2021

Dear Sac City Unified Families:

Last Friday, December 10, the Sac City Unified School District declared that it has reached an impasse in its efforts to negotiate with the Sacramento City Teachers Association (SCTA) over a number of issues related to reopening schools for in-person instruction and independent study this 2021-22 school year.

The district and SCTA have been negotiating since last July over a number of issues that affect continuity of learning for Sac City Unified students this school year while the COVID-19 pandemic continues. These issues include:

We are now four months into the school year and resolution of these issues at the bargaining table have not been resolved. This is why the district has submitted a request for an impasse determination from the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). Seeking an impasse declaration means that the district is asking PERB to appoint a mediator to work with the district and SCTA with the goal of quickly resolving these issues. Engaging in the statutory impasse process will allow the district to work toward agreement with SCTA and put the proposed plans for addressing continuity of learning for students into action.

For more information, please see the news release issued on Friday: Sac City Unified Seeks Impasse Determination to Resolve Issues Impacting Continuity of Learning During the 2021-2022 School Year.

To keep up with the status of Sac City Unified’s negotiations with labor partners please visit the  Return Together Labor Negotiations dashboard.

To receive news and updates about Sac City Unified’s negotiations with labor partners, please sign up for negotiations updates by completing the form at the bottom of the district’s  Labor Negotiations webpage  https://www.scusd.edu/negotiations-updates.

Friday, December 10, 2021

Sac City Unified Seeks Impasse Determination to Resolve Issues Impacting Continuity of Learning During the 2021-2022 School Year

Declaration of Impasse Submitted to Public Employment Relations Board submitted on December 10, 2021

Friday, November 5, 2021

UPDATE ABOUT SACRAMENTO CITY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT’S NEGOTIATIONS WITH LABOR PARTNERS

Overview of Collective Bargaining

While the Sacramento City Unified School District is working to reach agreement with the Sacramento City Teachers Association (SCTA) on a successor contract to the previous contract which expired in 2019, the district has also attempted to problem-solve challenges that have been exacerbated by COVID related to staffing, unfinished learning, among other challenges.  

Since last July the District has been attempting to address these issues in a way that best meets the educational needs of all Sac City Unified students. Even though schools reopened when the school year began on September 2, 2021, negotiations with SCTA have continued on the following:

All of the issues above are being negotiated along with the District’s ongoing efforts to reach agreement on a successor contract between SCTA and the District. The extended efforts to reach agreement on a successor contract and the cycle of negotiations over each of the above matters takes significant time on the part of many leaders of the district’s management team, which otherwise would be spent focused on student instruction and managing educational programs.

More detail on the district’s plans to address the needs of students in this school year, fill staff vacancies, and increase compensation for school nurses is provided below. 

Addressing Staffing Shortages to Improve Students’ Continuity of Learning

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, teacher staffing shortages have increased across the nation and in California. Staffing shortages can negatively impact students’ continuity of learning. 

Sac City Unified has made a number of proposals to provide additional pay to address the serious teacher staff shortage that has resulted in a gap between student demand for Independent Study and available teachers, a shortage of substitute teachers, and the need to improve continuity of learning for students in short and long term independent study. The District has proposed to provide additional pay to teachers who perform extra duties to support students in long- and short-term independent study. 

  • Addressing Staff Shortages in Independent Study Program to Meet Increased Demand

    • To meet the demand for students electing Independent Study rather than in-person learning, on October 26, 2021, the District has proposed additional pay for teachers who agree to teach up to 10 students in long-term independent study for up to 8 hours a week after their regular teaching day. This additional pay would be available to any teacher across the district with the appropriate credential to teach the assigned students. 
    • This proposal would allow the District to expand the number of teachers assigned to students in the Capital City Independent Study Program and more quickly remove students from the current long-term independent study wait-list.

  • Addressing Continuity of Student Learning When Students are Required to Quarantine at Home

    • To meet the educational needs of students who are temporarily out of class due to COVID quarantine requirements, on September 16, 2021, and updated on October 26, 2021 the District has proposed additional compensation for teachers who agree to keep students in short term-independent study engaged with their classes by using Google Classroom to communicate with students and turning on the “PolyCam” that has been provided to all classrooms. 
    • Using PolyCams in the classroom would improve continuity of learning for students who need to be temporarily placed on short-term independent study for COVID-related reasons by allowing these students to attend class virtually and keep up with their in-person class. 
    • While we continue to negotiate, students in short term-independent study are provided packets of work to complete independently while they are away from their classes.
  • Addressing Teacher Vacancies and Need for Substitutes

To address an historically higher rate of staff vacancies and ensure that all of our students are taught by an appropriately credentialed teacher, the District has proposed increased pay for substitute teachers and for regular teachers who take on additional duties. On October 26, 2021 the District is also proposing to temporarily deploy Training Specialists to fill vacant teacher positions at high-need sites to ensure that students at those sites are taught by fully credentialed and highly qualified teachers. The District is also proposing to supplementally use on-line courses for instruction in hard-to-staff courses until the class has a permanent teacher. 
 

  • The District has proposed a 25% increase in pay for substitute teachers and for regular teachers covering other classes while on their prep period. Increasing the substitute rate of pay will allow the District to more effectively recruit substitutes to cover temporary teacher vacancies and alleviate the pressures on school site administrators and fellow teachers who are currently working to fill the need at their school sites.
  • To meet the urgent need for teachers with appropriate credentials to cover teacher vacancies and support continuity of learning for students, the District has proposed to direct Training Specialists who usually work at the District Office to temporarily fill vacant teaching positions at high-needs school sites.
  • To meet the need for students to receive instruction in certain hard-to-fill positions such as foreign language and math, the District has proposed to supplementally use on-line courses for this instruction until the class has a permanent teacher. Students would have access to courses that follow standards and would work online at school under the supervision of the daily or long-term substitute teacher. Students may also have access to these courses while at home as well as at school. 

  • Addressing the Need to Compensate School Nurses for Extra Work in Conducting COVID Contact Tracing

    • In Sacramento City Unified school nurses are represented by SCTA. Initially on September 16, 2021, and updated on October 26, 2021, the District has proposed to increase pay for school nurses who play a vital role in contact tracing, and to compensate school nurses for taking on extra duties to manage COVID-related health needs and other student health issues.
    • The District has proposed additional pay of $150/hour for nurses working extra hours to perform additional duties related to COVID contact tracing and supporting other student health needs.

The District’s prior proposals to SCTA on these issues can be accessed here.

Friday, October 22, 2021

Negotiations update: proposed professional learning, stipend, and changes to health care plan, and impact on teacher pay

OVERVIEW
The Sac City Unified School District is in ongoing negotiations with the Sacramento City Teachers Association (SCTA) over a successor contract because SCTA has been working under an expired contract since 2019.  On October 13, 2021, the district updated its proposals on professional learning, compensation and health benefits.

One of the district’s objectives in the successor contract negotiations is to reach agreement on elements of the contract that are major contributing factors of the district’s ongoing structural deficit. The district’s proposed plan to update the health benefits program offered to SCTA members is a significant factor under negotiation. The district has not proposed changes to teacher salaries, but instead is proposing to align the health benefit costs to the costs of other districts. This would reduce a significant cost burden for the district and allow the district to allocate more funding for students.

SAC CITY UNIFIED PROPOSED PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND STIPENDS
The district provided staff with two pre-service professional learning days before this school year. In an effort to continue this positive trend, and address a lack of ongoing professional learning over several years, the district is proposing to add three pre-service days to the work year for SCTA members for years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 in order to provide meaningful professional learning in support of district-wide efforts to meet the needs of all students in SCUSD. These would be an additional three days with corresponding additional pay equal to approximately 1.66% of an employee’s salary. Current topics and opportunities for professional development include: Universal Design for Learning (UDL), High Quality Instruction, Multi-Tier Systems of Support (MTSS), and Implicit Bias, and Anti-Racist Training.

Additionally, the district is proposing to provide staff with stipends for three years. A $1,000 annual, limited-term stipend paid from one-time funds would be provided for 2021-2022 through 2023-2024 to address numerous matters, including new COVID related costs and responsibilities. In total, these added professional learning days and stipends for the specified years will increase compensation to staff members by approximately 3.0% for the average staff-member making $75,000 in each of the 2022-2023, and 2023-2024 school years. The total cost to the district of the additional professional learning days and the stipends is approximately $18.6 Million in one-time funds.

SAC CITY UNIFIED PROPOSED HEALTH CARE PREMIUM CONTRIBUTION TO ALIGN WITH SURROUNDING DISTRICTS AND STATE EMPLOYEES
The district seeks to reach an agreement that reduces the cost of health care benefits for the district, while continuing to offer high quality health benefits to our employees consistent with the State Auditor’s Recommendation. Currently, the district pays for 100% of health care costs for employees and employees’ families at no cost to the employee, and employees are entitled to access health care through Kaiser HMO or Health Net HMO/EPO/PPO.

Approximately 1,357 certificated employees and their family members currently get health care through the Kaiser HMO option. The full family coverage with this option costs the district  $22,860 per family each year.

Approximately 1,093 certificated employees and their family members currently get health care through the Health Net option, with 524 employees selecting the full family coverage HMO option at an annual cost to the district of $34,994.16 per family.

The cost of health care benefits currently offered by Sac City Unified are far more expensive than the cost of health care benefits offered by any other school district in our region. Sac City Unified’s employee health benefits are also far more generous, and are more expensive per employee, than health benefits offered to state employees. Health Net, in particular, is the costliest HMO option paid by any school district in our region  and was noted by the State Auditor as the fourth costliest health plan for school districts in the entire state in 2018.

The district wants to reach an agreement that will reduce costs for the district and help stabilize the district’s budget. The district proposed to do this by providing a soft cap on the amount that the district contributes to employee health care which would equal 100% of the cost for an individual employee to be covered, and 75% of the cost for a +1 and family plan under the current low cost plan (currently Kaiser HMO plan). Under this scenario, employees would still have access to the Kaiser HMO option at no cost for themselves, but would need to pay 25% of the cost for the +1 and family Kaiser HMO plans. Similarly, if the employee opted for the more expensive Health Net HMO, the employee would need to pay for a percentage of the cost of coverage that is over and above the district’s contribution based on the cost of the Kaiser plan for themselves and for any additional family members added to the plan.

The health care proposal is still under negotiation, but the district’s goal is to make the percentage comparable to what employees at other districts in our region and state employees are responsible for.

This change to health benefit contributions would not change teachers’ salaries in any way. It would, depending on which health plan the employee chooses, add a pre-tax expense to their monthly pay.

Employees who chose the Kaiser HMO option for themselves will have no reduction in take home pay for their own health insurance. If the employee on the Kaiser HMO plan adds one or more family members, they would see the new, pre-tax cost for their contribution for health care, estimated to be approximately $228 for two people, or about $322 for a family, per month.

Employees who opt for the more expensive Health Net HMO will see a new, pre-tax cost for their contribution for their own health insurance of about $242. The employee contribution pre-tax cost for two people on the Health Net HMO would be about $712, and for a family the pre-tax cost would be approximately $1,008.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement and the district’s proposal contain a Health and Welfare Benefits Committee with equal representation between district management and SCTA. Included in the committee’s scope is studying healthcare plan options and making recommendations regarding feasibility and cost efficiency.

SAC CITY UNIFIED IS NOT PROPOSING A REDUCTION IN SALARY
Again, the district is not proposing any change to the employee salary schedule as a result of this change in the health care benefit. But, employees who select a health care plan other than the Kaiser HMO option and those who include additional family members on their health insurance will be asked to pay for a percentage of the cost of the health care option that they select for themselves and their family.

THE HEALTH BENEFIT CHANGE PROPOSED BY SAC CITY UNIFIED IS INTENDED TO HELP ADDRESS THE DISTRICT’S STRUCTURAL DEFICIT
This change will align Sac City Unified’s health benefit costs to the costs of other districts in the greater Sacramento region. It will also reduce a significant cost burden by approximately $17.2 Million annually for the district and allow the district to allocate more funding for educational services for students.

During this near-term period in which an annual, limited term stipend will be provided, staff will have the opportunity to enroll into Kaiser, Health Net, or any other affordable health care plans that are recommended by the health care committee and selected by the district.

SCTA’S PROPOSAL WOULD ADD TO THE STRUCTURAL DEFICIT

In contrast, while proposing to freeze all other successor contract negotiations for this school year, SCTA has proposed a 3.5% salary increase for 2021-2022 for an estimated total ongoing cost increase of approximately $8.5 Million each year.
 

While the changes to the health care plan proposed by the district are on the table, SCTA has proposed that no changes be made to the healthcare benefits package, which would result in the district continuing to pay 100% up to full family benefits in Health Net or Kaiser plans, and SCTA has proposed that the district fund an increase to the dental premium contribution. SCTA’s proposal also includes a placeholder for a proposal on child care.
 

SCTA’s proposals do not address adding professional development days to the work year, which are needed to address a lack of ongoing professional learning over several years, support high quality teaching, help meet urgent needs to improve student outcomes, and provide anti-racism training. Adding these professional learning days would bring Sac City Unified into alignment with the professional learning provided in neighboring school districts.

Sacramento City Unified will continue to update our community concerning important negotiations updates.

Saturday, August 28, 2021

Negotiations with the Sacramento City Teachers Association (SCTA) on Reopening of Schools

California state law requires all school districts to reopen for full time in-person instruction and Sac City Unified looks forward to our students returning to school on September 2, 2021. 

Since July 1, our district has asked SCTA to identify which aspects of the district’s reopening plan that they believe are negotiable. SCTA passed the district a formal proposal on August 17 containing numerous aspects that are not required or recommended by state law and local, state, and federal guidance. SCTA’s most recent proposal was passed to the district on August 27, and this proposal continues to include, among other things: 

  • A requirement that the district shift to distance learning for all students when county case rates hit a certain threshold which would put the district out of compliance with state law and prevent the district from reopening on September 2, 2021 with in-person instruction. 
  • A 6-foot physical distancing requirement, which is inconsistent with CDPH guidelines.  This would mean that our district would be unable to welcome back all students for in-person instruction and put our district in violation of state law.
  • COVID-19 testing for all 40,000 students and 4,700 staff before they return, subject to staffing and availability of test kits. 
    • Our district, unlike other regional districts, offers testing at every single open school site, the Serna Center each weekday, and will host testing events at district locations prior to reopening. Once open, students and staff can request a test every day in our Care Rooms, but we do not have the staff or capacity for testing and contact tracing to mandate testing for more than 45,000 people prior to reopening. It is our goal to develop a mandated testing program as soon as possible, but it should not prevent our students from receiving in-person instruction on our scheduled start date. Universal testing of staff and students has not been a condition for reopening of any other district in our state. 
  • Remote teaching for staff due to child care/dependent issues even while our students are returning in-person, and the creation of five (5) child care centers across the district for children of staff as a condition for reopening.
  • Automatic damages of $250,000 to penalize the district with potential additional punitive damages (which are damages intended as a punishment) for any/each violation of SCTA’s proposed Health and Safety MOU. 
  • Requires SCTA approval before making any updates to our District’s health and safety protocols when local, state, or federal guidance changes.

Yesterday afternoon, the district passed a counterproposal and communicated again to SCTA that the District intends to follow health guidance and state law. We are committed to continue discussions with SCTA over any issues they identify related to our reopening schools consistent with state and local requirements and guidelines. To view all proposals and communications, please visit our Return Together Negotiations Dashboard here.

As part of negotiations, we also presented our plan to SCTA to offer our families an Independent Study program that would provide our students with more synchronous instruction than is the minimum required by AB 130. You can view the district’s proposal and proposed schedules here. The approach to independent study proposed by the District did not result in an agreement with SCTA so the District will offer an independent study program that still meets the state requirements under AB 130.The proposal was not agreed to by SCTA so we will offer an independent study program that meets, but does not exceed, the requirements of the state’s new independent study law, AB 130. For our families who expressed interest in our Independent Study Program, we will continue to send additional information separately and will host a community meeting next week. 

Our district is committed to a full reopening with in-person instruction, and the state of our negotiations will not change the September 2 start date of our school year.  Please read this statement from our Board of Education expressing this commitment. 

Negotiations with SCTA on Successor Contract 

In addition to negotiations over our reopening, our district has continued to negotiate with SCTA over a successor contract, because SCTA has been working under an expired contract since 2019. 

One of the District’s objectives in the successor contract negotiations is to reach agreement on elements of the contract with SCTA that are major contributing factors of the district’s ongoing structural deficit. As part of these negotiations, the district has proposed to update the health benefits program offered to SCTA members. The district has not proposed changes to teacher salaries, but instead is proposing to align the health benefit costs to the costs of other districts. This would reduce a significant cost burden for the district and allow the district to allocate more funding for students. 

While the district has been provided one-time funding through COVID-19 relief, our ongoing expenses exceed our revenue, and we cannot use the relief funding for these ongoing expenses. Additionally, this structural deficit limits the educational services the district can offer our students. 

To be clear: the status of successor contract negotiations does not impact the start date of our school year, and does not change the state law that all districts must resume in-person instruction for all students. For more information about negotiations on the SCTA successor contract, please visit the SCTA Successor Contract Negotiations Dashboard here. 

We know that our students, families, and community are excited about returning to school for in-person learning and are looking forward to the first day of school on September 2. We have demonstrated it is safe to do, and we have strong health and safety standards in place to protect the health of our students and staff. 

After more than 18 months away from school, our students deserve the opportunity to learn in-person at school with their teacher and peers. We are so excited to see students back on Sac City Unified campuses, and look forward to our Return Together on September 2.  

 

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Please view the district’s proposal to the Sacramento City Teachers Association on the 2021-2022 work calendar and preservice days. The proposal was first passed on June 2, 2021. The proposal may be viewed here.

Thursday July 22, 2021

Please view the district’s negotiations dashboard with all proposals and letters regarding negotiations with the Sacramento City Teachers Association on a successor contract. The dashboard may be viewed here and will be updated regularly.

The dashboard includes the district’s most recent proposals and responses passed on July 20, 2021.

April 6, 2021

SCUSD Declares Impasse in Negotiations with SEIU

As a community, we are happy that this week that our district will welcome students back to in-person learning. Our students need the necessary academic, social and emotional support that our school sites provide. We know that families are ready for students to return, as 53 percent of our families have indicated that they would send students back in-person. Our district is ready too, with strong health and safety protocols in place, testing available for students and staff, and after having offered all employees the opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

After nearly a month of negotiating with the Service Employee International Union 1021 (SEIU) on negotiable effects related to reopening schools, the District has formally declared impasse. Please view our most recent proposal here as well as SEIU’s proposal here, and additional information available on the negotiations dashboard here. 

Impasse is a formal declaration that continued negotiations would not be productive to reach a formal agreement. The district submitted the impasse certification to the Public Employee Relations Board yesterday, after notifying SEIU verbally on Saturday, April 3. The next step in the impasse process, if approved, would move the parties to mediation where a State-appointed mediator would work with the District and SEIU in an attempt to help the parties reach an agreement.

As the district is welcoming students back to school on April 8, employees including SEIU members are expected to report to work beginning on April 5 for employees working at our elementary schools and in positions at District worksites other than school sites consistent with existing expectations. This impasse declaration does not change the district’s reopening plans or dates. 

Below is a summary of primary areas of disagreement between SEIU and the District at the time of our impasse filing: 

What the district offered SEIU members

In addition to a plan with robust health and safety protocols consistent with public health recommendations, the district made the additional following offers to SEIU in a good faith effort as part of the negotiations process:

  • A $1,000 stipend for SEIU members recognizing the potential for additional workload and COVID-related expenses to return to in-person services and instruction.
  • A $750 stipend for SEIU members for professional development and preparation days.
  • A $1,000 pro-rated stipend for SEIU members who have worked on-site since July 1, 2020, including but not limited to those employees in Nutrition Services, Custodial services, Maintenance and Facilities, and Technology Support Services.
  • A $100 reimbursement for allowable operating expenses for SEIU employees while they had been working remotely.
  • Option for parents with childcare issues to bring their school-age children to work to be included in the in-person cohorts of their grade level at the school in which the parent is employed (or in the classroom for Instructional Aides) if there is space to safely accommodate children and without disrupting learning.
  • Option of remote work or accommodation for staff with serious health condition or primary caregiver responsibility for family members with serious health conditions when able to meet essential functions of their positions
  • Physical distancing requirements consistent with CDPH guidelines

Additional demands by SEIU

Despite these offers by the district, SEIU countered with additional demands, including:

  • A $1,250 stipend for SEIU regardless of whether or not they return to in-person services and instruction
  • Elimination of the proration of the $1,000 stipend for employees working on site during school closures, meaning that all SEIU members would receive the stipend whether they worked on site or not.
  • A requirement that the district establish four childcare centers staffed by SEIU and SCTA members
  • An additional stipend of $1,500 for SEIU members with a child between the ages of 3-14 who cannot bring their children to attend school
  • Allow employees with children 3 and under to work remotely
  • A $400 stipend for employees who have been working remotely during the pandemic for related expenses incurred
  • Requirement that the district follow outdated 6 ft. physical distancing guidance and not the updated guidance from CDPH and SCDPH which would allow for 3 ft. of physical distancing between student desks in classrooms
  • Additional 3 days of sick leave beyond the 10 days provided under SB 95 related to Covid-19

The district’s proposal reflects its appreciation for SEIU employees across Sac City Unified and recognizes those who have worked on site throughout our school closures. The district’s proposal also recognizes the potential for additional workload and expenditures related to our school reopening.

While the district recognizes the challenge that childcare can present, not just for SEIU employees but employees across the country, the district is unable to meet the childcare needs of employees as proposed by SEIU in their last counterproposal from April 3, 2021. Additionally, although the district has attempted to assist employees by allowing them to bring children to work in some situations where safety and supervision can be provided, this is meant to be a temporary solution through the end of the school year as employees address the issue of disrupted operation of schools and childcare providers.

The district will continue to work with employees through its existing Employee Assistance Program and other resources for identifying child care within the Sacramento community.

Resources and information for locating childcare providers:

The District remains committed to working with SEIU leaders through the statutory impasse process and will continue to share information about our progress in this important work.

June 8, 2020

SCTA Successor Contract Update

We are pleased to inform our community that tomorrow, June 9, we will meet with our labor partner, Sacramento City Teachers Association, to resume negotiations on a successor contract. One of the District’s proposals to SCTA proposes changes to health benefit plans to help our district better control the high cost of employee benefits. Employee salaries and benefits costs make up 90 percent of the district’s unrestricted budget. Immediately prior to the negotiation session, the district will provide SCTA with a Budget Presentation about the district’s fiscal status.

It is imperative that we come to an agreement on a new contract, especially as we anticipate increased operating expenses due to COVID-19 and possible budget cuts.

Our community can’t afford one more minute without a new contract.

State Budget Update

While nothing is certain, the California Assembly and Senate leaders have announced a proposed budget that is significantly different from the Governor’s revised budget. This is positive news and means that the advocacy for education funding at the state level has been effective.

However, this budget is dependent on additional federal relief through the federal Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions – or HEROES – Act, requiring additional advocacy on the federal level.

Without federal relief, we can anticipate additional funding shortfalls beyond our current $27 million deficit.

Regardless of whether additional federal aid comes through, in order to close the existing $27 million deficit, we must address the high costs of employee benefits.

According to California State Auditor Elaine Howle and other financial experts, Sac City Unified offers the most generous employee benefits in the Sacramento region, and one of the most expensive benefit packages in the state, at no monthly premium cost to SCTA members.

Some facts about our health benefits

  • SCTA members are among only approximately 3 percent of Californians to receive 100 percent employer-funded health benefits for a family plan.
  • By comparison, California State employees pay premiums of approximately $213 per month for a single plan and $615 per month per family for a HealthNet HMO Plan.
  • While Sac City Unified pays 100 percent of the cost of benefits, other districts statewide cap health benefit contributions at 85 percent for medical, on average.
  • This means Sac City Unified pays more out of our budget for benefits than other districts. For a local example, Sac City Unified’s health benefits for teachers cost $13 million more than Elk Grove Unified’s, even though Sac City Unified has 950 fewer teachers.

Our Proposal

Sac City Unified’s proposal is simple and fair. We must prioritize the needs of our students and recognize parity when it comes to teachers’ total compensation in the Sacramento Region. SCTA members receive higher total compensation than teachers in neighboring districts and at the expense of our students.  We have already made $30 million in cuts  to close the deficit in previous years. We are down to the bare bones.

Our students can’t afford for our district to become insolvent – and a state takeover won’t make these budget challenges go away. Kicking the can down the road is not helpful for our community and something we must address once and for all.

Below are the district’s student-centered contract proposals passed to SCTA between August and December 2019 and reviewed during the only negotiation session held to date on March 3, 2020:

Helps Ensure Fully-Staffed Schools

  • Restructures teacher transfer process to allow the district to staff schools quickly
  • Simplifies the process to fill vacancies

Maintains Class Size Reductions

  • Maintain existing class sizes at all grade levels
  • Clarifies timeline for class size adjustment at the beginning of the school year
  • Removes limitations that result in students attending school outside their neighborhood school

Improves Special Education and Inclusive Practices

  • Provides greater opportunities for the District to employ strategies like inclusive practices and others at schools across the district
  • Removes limitations on numbers of students who can be mainstreamed in regular education classes

Ensures Restorative Practices and Reduction of Suspensions

  • Protects the learning environment while effectively addressing student behavior issues
  • Removes barriers to allow for district-wide implementation of  restorative alternatives and practices for all students
  • Ensure student suspensions are consistent with Education Code and district policies and regulations that seek to reduce avoidable suspensions

Protects Academics and Gives Parents and Educators More Info to Evaluate Student Progress

  • Enhances student learning by aligning evaluation to California Department of Education’s Standards for the Teaching Profession
  • Creates consistency for students by clearly defining teachers’ professional duties that support students
  • Increases time for professional development and collaboration

Gives our Students Greater Summer Opportunities and Chances to Learn

  • Move up start and end date to align with neighboring districts, giving students more opportunities to attend summer college courses, pursue summer employment and benefit from increased learning days before standardized and AP testing

Protects Funding for Students While Maintaining a Competitive Benefits for Teachers

  • Sac City Unified will continue to pay 100% of the premium costs of the lowest cost plan cost for SCTA members
  • The district will pay 75% of the premium costs for SCTA members’ family plans at the rate equivalent to the lowest cost plan (currently Kaiser)
  • Requires part time employees to pay for benefits using a prorated structure
  • Increases employee contribution from $20 per month to 2% of employee’s salary to help fund the costs of SCTA members’ health care provided after retirement

June 2, 2020

We are pleased to announce that the district and our labor partner, Sacramento City Teachers Association, will resume successor contract negotiations on June 9, 2020 at 4 p.m.

It’s more important than ever for us to come to agreement. At our May 21 Board of Education meeting, we learned more about our district’s fiscal outlook under the Governor’s May Revised budget. Under the current proposal, Sac City Unified can anticipate a significant revenue decline, and an updated projected deficit of $57 million in the next fiscal year. We must address the district’s unsustainable employee salary and benefit structure, which makes up approximately 90 percent of the district’s unrestricted budget. This has been confirmed by Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE), Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT), a Policy Analysis for Education (PACE) report, and most recently the California State Auditor.

We believe that SCTA and our district can together find and agree to solutions to our budget challenges, that allow us to continue the shared goal of enhancing educational opportunities for all students. 

However, time is of the essence. Each day that passes without agreement pushes us closer to insolvency. 

May 19, 2020

 These last few weeks have been difficult for our school district, for our community, and for our employees. 

Last week’s news that we could expect additional cuts to education as a part of reductions to the state budget came as an especially devastating blow – especially as we are considering the challenge of how we will reopen our schools when it is safe to do so. And it will take funding, resources, and support - something our district was lacking even before this current crisis. 

As part of our continued efforts to be transparent and honest about our situation, we must inform you, our community, about our updated fiscal outlook. 

Fiscal Challenges 

Before our school closure, our district was facing a well-documented $27 million deficit, largely attributable to Sac City Unified’s unsustainable employee benefits structure. This has been confirmed by Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE), Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT), a Policy Analysis for Education (PACE) report, and most recently the California State Auditor. 

Governor Newsom’s announcement of a 10 percent reduction to the Local Control Funding Formula adds an additional layer of concern and moves the timeline that our district could become insolvent much earlier than our initial estimate of late 2021.

Outlook Under a Current State Budget Proposal 

At our May 7 Board meeting, our budget team presented scenarios which included a 10 percent LCFF reduction, indicating that such a cut could impact our budget by approximately $50 million, on top of the current $27 million deficit. 

You can view a video of this board presentation here.

Facing the Hard Truth 

There are tough decisions ahead. Our district has already implemented over $30 million in ongoing budget reductions. There isn’t much left to cut and that is the hard truth.

Learn More About Our Budget 

Our team will present the Third Interim Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2019-20 at the May 21, 2020 board meeting. This presentation will give our community detailed information about our budget outlook. At the following meeting on June 18, 2020, we will present a proposed adopted budget, which will include possible program cuts in order for us to best close our well-documented and likely growing deficit.

We will regularly provide our community with updates, presentations, and information on our budget and status of negotiations.

It’s Time to Face Reality

As indicated in audit after audit and by numerous and well-respected experts, including California’s State Auditor, we cannot close this gap without reaching an agreement that addresses the district’s health benefit cost structure.

Our budget situation was dire before this pandemic and is even more so now. Any statement that our budget is improving is separated from reality. We again ask SCTA to meet us at the bargaining table to come to an agreement on their members’ total compensation and benefits – which remain the highest in the region.  

The District’s structural deficit is largely due to the District paying 100% of the premiums for all offered healthcare plans, which will include almost $33,700 in 2020-2021 for each of the HealthNet family plans selected by 522 employees. This option will cost the district 40 percent more than other health plans and increased 7 percent over the last fiscal year, yet the benefit continues to be offered at no premium cost to SCTA members.

On Friday, we sent another letter to SCTA asking that we resume negotiations, which we first attempted to initiate in November of 2018. 

Our students cannot afford for us to wait even one more minute. It’s time to come to the table. 

We have provided SCTA with all they need, it’s time to come to the table and save our district. 

May 14, 2020

We previously reached an initial agreement with SEIU and are now pleased to announce that we have also reached initial agreements with Teamsters, Local 150 and Teamsters Classified Supervisors (TCS) regarding the impacts of COVID-19.

The agreements identify protections that employees receive as we all work through the impacts of this pandemic. These include essentials such as appropriate leave options and personal protective equipment as outlined by CalOSHA. Additionally, the agreements provide for flexibility in current collective bargaining timelines and offers a way for SEIU, Teamsters and TCS members to complete mandated trainings if they have not already done so.

We appreciate the collaborative efforts of these bargaining groups and the hard work of employees who are assisting in serving meals to students, keeping facilities disinfected on a daily basis, supporting distance learning and maintaining the day to day operations of the District. We look forward to future collaborations as we continue to work on other negotiable items.

April 20, 2020

Facing a possible recession: our kids need us to start negotiations more than ever

As we continue to address the COVID-19 crisis and continue to work to meet our students’ needs, we know that we must also remain focused on our district’s financial health. In fact, the economic toll caused by the current crisis means that we need to address our budget challenges now more than ever. When it comes to protecting our children’s future, we can no longer disregard the challenges we face based on how our budget is structured.

That is why on April 17 our district again invited the Sacramento City Teachers’ Association to schedule our next negotiation session on the union’s contract which expired on June 30, 2019. You can view the letter we sent SCTA inviting them to negotiate here. This is the second invitation that the district has extended to SCTA after they requested a budget presentation at the first negotiations session which took place on March 3, 2020. Unfortunately, SCTA did not respond to the first invitation by the district on March 24.

In the most recent letter, the district urges SCTA to reconvene negotiations to address one of the district’s highest expenditures: employee benefits. Our district is already anticipating significant increases to next year’s healthcare plan rates.

On top of that, many economists project the global pandemic will accelerate a recession, substantially reducing state revenues and making negotiations of SCTA’s successor contract even more vital. In a letter sent to the district by the Sacramento County Office of Education on April 15, 2020, County Superintendent Dave Gordon also reiterated the importance of negotiating a new contract in light of the expected fiscal impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

“Our district was already facing significant budget challenges before the unprecedented health crisis that we find ourselves grappling with now. That is why – even during this difficult time – we’re asking our labor partners to sit with us at the table to continue negotiations on the high costs of our employee benefits and other critical issues before our district,” said Sac City Unified Superintendent Jorge Aguilar. “We know our financial challenges won’t go away without compromise – even in the face of a crisis. Whatever challenges we face, we remain focused on what’s most important: meeting the academic, social, and emotional needs of our children. Our children’s needs should always come first.”

The District offered  to hold a budget presentation and negotiations session with SCTA for Friday, May 1st at 4 p.m., Tuesday, May 5th at 4 p.m., or Wednesday, May 6th at 4 p.m. We will continue to update our community on this important matter.

April 9, 2020

We recognize the mental toll that the coronavirus pandemic has taken on students, families, and employees as they anxiously await details that will shape our distance learning plans. We understand the stress felt by parents trying to adapt to homeschool, students coping with the disappointment of missing major milestones like graduations, and teachers worrying that their most vulnerable students’ basic needs are met. There is an urgent need to take action as every day of lost learning will have lasting impacts on the academic and social-emotional well-being of our students.

Our schools have now been closed for three weeks and our schools will be closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. During this period of time, we know that some students have been contacted by their teachers and have received enrichment activities, while others have not. This is particularly concerning for students with special needs, homeless students, socio-economically disadvantaged students, ELL students, and students who are below grade level in core content areas. In Sac City Unified, 72% of our District’s students are low-income, English Learners, or in foster care and are likely to suffer the most from inaction. Therefore, it is important to begin distance learning and instruction as soon as possible, especially because not all of our families are able to compensate for the impacts on student learning loss during our school closures.

Since March 16, Sac City Unified met with SCTA leaders on 14 separate days in an attempt to come to a student-centered agreement.

Please view the correspondence to SCTA from Sac City Unified informing the union of this decision.

Does this mean that discussions with SCTA are over?

No. The district will continue to meet and negotiate in good faith with SCTA leaders regarding the negotiable effects of our distance learning plan.

Why wouldn’t Sac City Unified agree to the Governor’s “Framework Agreement”?

We appreciate the “Framework Agreement” and view it for what it is, a framework, not a document intended to serve as a binding document or as a condition to implementing distance learning plans. The district and SCTA have faced significant disagreements over ambiguities contained in past framework agreements and, given the fact that we already know SCTA interprets aspects of this Framework differently than the district, we cannot agree to it

Why couldn’t you come to an agreement with SCTA or just allow them to move forward with their proposal?

Because our students cannot wait another minute for learning opportunities to begin.  Since our school closure began, we know that some students have been contacted by their teachers and have received enrichment activities during this time, while others have not. This is particularly concerning for students with special needs, homeless students, socio-economically disadvantaged students, ELL students, and students who are below grade level in core content areas. Our plan is focused on providing essential standards to our students which serve as the building blocks that our students need to reach grade level proficiency. Our plan also includes flexibility that allows students and teachers to schedule learning at the time that is best for them but also calls for regular communications with our families. Finally, our plan allows for instruction to be conducted online, by conference calls, phone, textbooks, other school materials, and assigned work. Therefore, it is important to begin distance learning and instruction as soon as possible.

In addition, a recent poll from Ed Trust West shows that parents are deeply concerned about their children falling behind academically as a result of school closures – especially among low-income, Latinx and Black parents. The study “reveals that the crisis is exacerbating longstanding education equity challenges, including inequitable access to technology, academic support, and resources for students of color and students from lower-income communities.”

Sac City Unified will continue to be guided by the following North Star: we work for our students. The work we put in today to ensure that high quality instruction is taught to our students will set the foundation for us to continue meeting the needs of our students when they come back to school. We will continue to do everything in our power to meet the academic and social-emotional needs of our students as well as support their families during these difficult times.

April 7, 2020

Please view the recent correspondence from Sac City Unified to the Sacramento City Teachers Association regarding negotiations of a distance learning plan.

April 6, 2020

We are pleased to share that we have reached a vital agreement  with the United Professional Educators (UPE) outlining the role of principals in distance learning during the period of school closures.

The student-centered agreement includes a commitment by Sac City Unified principals to:

  • Complete training on the District’s formal distance learning plan, Universal Design for Learning
  • Participate in professional development on the Districts’ preferred online instructional platform, Google Classroom
  • Continue to provide leadership regarding distance learning during the period of school closure

Our Next Step

Our plan is to begin implementing a student-centered formal distance learning program on April 13. The District looks forward to continued discussions with our labor partners to successfully develop and implement our distance learning plan during this period of school closures.

We will also continue distributing computers to students in need of digital access during the school closures. On April 3, the District deployed approximately 3,500 laptops to students throughout the District. We will deploy additional laptops during the week of our scheduled Spring Break in order to meet the needs of students by April 13.  

This agreement with UPE is consistent with the orders from the Governor (link to March 13 Exec. Order; March 19 Order/Guidance) and direction from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to provide Essential Educational Services. It is also consistent with corresponding CDE-issued guidance to help K-12 education leaders meet the needs of all students affected by school closures, with an emphasis on assisting low-income children and those with disabilities.

Protecting Equity in Distance Learning

We are grateful for the efforts of our educators who continue communicating with their students to provide learning resources and ongoing support. Implementing a distance learning plan that serves all Sac City Unified students remains our focus in these critical negotiations over the coming days.

This agreement moves us another step forward in our plan to provide comprehensive and equitable learning opportunities for all students.

Please know that we are working internally, regionally, and beyond to determine how best to implement the various directives and guidelines related to ensuring distance learning opportunities meeting the needs of all students.

Available Online Resources

There are many free resources that can support student learning and student and family well-being during this public health crisis.

Free Learning Resources – Learning and physical activities for students and additional educational information for parents/guardians.

Utilities and Internet Services – Free and low-cost Internet services; links to free transit services and assistance with utility bills and rent.

Student Nutrition Program – free meals for students provided Monday – Friday.

Additional Food and Supplies – Free food closets and free fresh produce.

Health Resources – Free clinics, foster youth supports and mental health services.

Additional Resources – Legal assistance, childcare for essential workers, community childcare, Dreamer/DACA information and multi-service community agencies.

Recursos en español:

www.aprende.edu.mx/

www.aprendeencasa.sep.gob.mx

www.televisioneducativa.gob.mx

www.mexicox.gob.mx

www.conaliteg.sep.gob.mx/index.html

April 4, 2020

Please view the recent correspondence from Sac City Unified to the Sacramento City Teachers Association (SCTA) regarding negotiations of a distance learning plan.

March 30, 2020

We are pleased to share that we have reached an agreement with the Sacramento City Teachers Association (SCTA) for the second step of our distance learning plan during the period of school closures. 

The second step of our plan includes:

  • Computers for teachers who need them to provide distance learning instruction
  • Training for teachers on distance learning

Our Next Step

Our plan is to begin a district-wide formal distance learning program on April 13. The District looks forward to continuing our discussions with SCTA to continue developing and implementing our distance learning plan during this period of school closures.

This would include setting expectations for distance learning as well as the responsibilities of other key non-classroom certificated employees, including counselors, social workers, nurses, school psychologists, training specialists, librarians, program specialists, resource teachers, and language, speech and hearing specialists. Again, we remain hopeful that our students can begin a district-wide distance learning program by April 13. 

This agreement is consistent with the orders from the Governor (link to March 13 Exec. Order; March 19 Order/Guidance) and direction from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to provide Essential Educational Services. It is also consistent with corresponding CDE-issued guidance to help K-12 education leaders meet the needs of all students affected by school closures, with an emphasis on assisting low-income children and those with disabilities.

Protecting Equity in Distance Learning 

We are grateful for the efforts of our teachers who continue communicating with their students to provide learning resources and ongoing support. Implementing a distance learning plan that serves all Sac City Unified students remains our focus in these critical negotiations with SCTA over the coming days. 

This agreement moves us another step forward in our plan to provide comprehensive and equitable learning opportunities for all students.

Please know that we are working internally, regionally, and beyond to determine how best to implement the various directives and guidelines related to distance learning opportunities. 

Available Online Resources

There are many free resources that can support student learning and student and family well-being during this public health crisis. 

Free Learning Resources – Learning and physical activities for students and additional educational information for parents/guardians.

Utilities and Internet Services – Free and low-cost Internet services; links to free transit services and assistance with utility bills and rent.

Student Nutrition Program – free meals for students provided Monday - Friday.

Additional Food and Supplies – Free food closets and free fresh produce.

Health Resources – Free clinics, foster youth supports and mental health services.

Additional Resources – Legal assistance, childcare for essential workers, community childcare, Dreamer/DACA information and multi-service community agencies.

Recursos en español:

www.aprende.edu.mx/

www.aprendeencasa.sep.gob.mx

www.televisioneducativa.gob.mx

www.mexicox.gob.mx

www.conaliteg.sep.gob.mx/index.html

March 20, 2020

We are pleased to share that we have reached agreements with the United Professional Educators (UPE) and the Sacramento City Teachers Association (SCTA) for the first phase of our distance learning plan during the period of school closures, which includes reaching out to families for a comprehensive student needs assessment. This agreement was reached following the District’s initial proposal to SCTA regarding the first phase as we move toward implementing the District’s distance learning plan, and after a number of counter-proposals between the parties. This agreement is consistent with the orders from the Governor (link to March 13 Exec. Order; March 19 Order/Guidance) and direction from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to provide Essential Educational Services.  It is also consistent with corresponding CDE-issued guidance to help K-12 education leaders meet the needs of all students affected by school closures, with an emphasis on assisting low-income children and those with disabilities, including distance learning and independent study and accommodations for students with disabilities.

We know and appreciate that many staff members have been communicating with their students and families to provide various educational resources to use during these extraordinary circumstances. This agreement is an initial step toward developing and providing comprehensive and equitable learning opportunities for all students. Checking in with our students and families to uniformly evaluate the needs of their student sets the foundation for us to provide an effective distance learning plan during our closure. The District looks forward to continuing our discussions with labor partners to develop and implement the next phases of a distance learning plan during this period of school closures.

Please know that we are working internally, regionally, and beyond to determine how best to implement the various directives and guidelines related to distance learning opportunities. In the meantime, we will continue to expand our online enrichment resources to support our students and encourage activities that reinforce learning. 

March 3, 2020

The District is looking forward to commencing negotiations with the Sacramento City Teachers Association (SCTA) on a successor collective bargaining agreement this afternoon at SCTA headquarters! As the District prepares for today’s negotiations session, we are also pleased to share this document to provide background and context about the District’s budget and the goals that the District has for the negotiations session with SCTA as well as an overview of the District’s key proposals.

Additionally, as a courtesy and in response to requests from community members, we are pleased to share who is serving on the District’s Negotiations team, information which was communicated to SCTA yesterday.

We anticipate today’s meeting will be the first of a number of meetings between the District and SCTA negotiations teams who will discuss proposals, have questions about such proposals and provide counter-proposals.

We are excited to begin the negotiations process and will continue to update you on these matters. For more information, please visit our negotiations updates page. 

February 06, 2020

We are pleased to inform you that the District today sent SCTA a letter confirming its intent to meet on March 3, 2020, to begin negotiations on a successor contract. The District also proposed numerous additional dates for negotiations as well as extended times for the negotiations sessions. 

We are excited to begin the negotiations process and will continue to update you on these matters. For more information, please visit our negotiations updates page.

Thank you.   

January 22, 2020

We are pleased to inform you that while awaiting a determination from the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) on the District’s request for impasse, the District received a letter on January 17 from the Sacramento City Teachers Association offering to commence negotiations in March 2020.

Today, the District responded with a letter proposing to begin “around the clock” negotiations in February. The District also accepted SCTA’s proposed March dates should they continue to be necessary at that time.  

We are excited to begin the negotiations process and will continue to update you on these matters. For more information, please visit our negotiations updates page.

Thank you.   

January 13, 2020

On December 20, 2019 we informed you that after sending 17 letters and offering 63 dates inviting leaders of the Sacramento City Teachers Association to engage in negotiations, the District requested to the California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) that impasse be declared and the parties be assigned a state mediator. Because PERB did not certify an impasse on December 20th, we again today, January 13, 2020, requested that PERB certify an impasse after now having sent 18 letters and offering 71 dates to begin negotiations.

As the recent State Audit Report outlined, a bargaining impasse occurs when two sides are unable to reach an agreement and cannot find resolution. In order to keep the State Auditor informed of the District’s efforts to move the process of negotiations forward, the District also today provided an update to the State Auditor focused on our efforts to implement its recommendations that require negotiated solutions.

The District will continue to update you on the latest information related to negotiations. For more, or to read past negotiations updates, please visit our negotiations updates page. Thank you.   

December 20, 2019

We want to inform you that after sending 17 letters and offering 63 dates inviting leaders of the Sacramento City Teachers Association to engage in negotiations, earlier today the District requested to the California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) that impasse be declared. A bargaining impasse occurs when two sides negotiating an agreement are unable to reach an agreement and cannot find resolution. Click here to read the District’s statement about requesting PERB’s assistance.

The District will continue to update you on the latest information related to negotiations.

For more, or to read past negotiations updates, please visit our negotiations updates page.

Thank you.    

December 11, 2019

On Monday, December 9th, the District again reached out to leaders of the Sacramento City Teachers Association requesting to commence negotiations on the collective bargaining agreement that expired on June 30, 2019. In its letter, the District submitted to SCTA leaders the remaining proposals to the collective bargaining agreement articles that had previously sunshined. Click here to read the District’s letter.
 
Commencing contract negotiations as soon as possible is critical to fixing the fiscal health of the District. In a State Audit Report of the District that was released yesterday, the State Auditor stated “Sacramento Unified’s options for reducing ongoing expenses without engaging in labor negotiations are limited and unlikely to prove successful in addressing its precarious financial situation.” Click here to read the Auditor’s full report. 
 
We will continue to keep you updated on the latest developments related to contract negotiations. For more information and to read past negotiations updates, visit our negotiations updates page. Thank you.

December 9, 2019

On Monday, December 9th, the District reached out to leaders of the Sacramento City Teachers Association requesting to commence negotiations on the collective bargaining agreement that expired on June 30, 2019. In its letter, the District submitted to SCTA leaders the remaining proposals to the collective bargaining agreement articles that had previously sunshined. Click here to read the letter.
 
Commencing contract negotiations as soon as possible is critical to fixing the fiscal health of the District. In a State Audit Report of the District that was released yesterday, the State Auditor stated “Sacramento Unified’s options for reducing ongoing expenses without engaging in labor negotiations are limited and unlikely to prove successful in addressing its precarious financial situation.” Click here to read the Auditor’s full report. 
 
We will continue to keep you updated on the latest developments related to contract negotiations. For more information and to read past negotiations updates, visit our negotiations updates page. Thank you.

October 17, 2019

Earlier today the District reached out to leaders of the Sacramento City Teachers Association requesting to commence contract negotiations on the collective bargaining agreement that expired on June 30, 2019. Click here to read the full letter to SCTA leaders.

We will continue to keep you updated on the latest developments related to contract negotiations. For more information and to read past negotiations updates, visit our negotiations updates page. Thank you.

October 3, 2019

Earlier today the District reached out to leaders of the Sacramento City Teachers Association requesting to commence contract negotiations on the collective bargaining agreement that expired on June 30, 2019. Click here to read the full letter to SCTA leaders. 

We will continue to keep you updated on the latest developments related to contract negotiations. For more information and to read past negotiations updates, visit our negotiations updates page. Thank you. 

September 26, 2019

The District sent SCTA leaders this letter in response to staffing concerns raised by SCTA. 

September 23, 2019

The District sent SCTA leaders this letter in response to reports that SCTA leaders are directing employees not to administer the District-wide assessments for the 2019-20 school year. .

September 12, 2019

The District sent SCTA leaders this letter regarding the implementation of district-wide assessments to ensure all students are provided with educational programs that meet their individual needs.

September 3, 2019

The District sent SCTA leaders this letter notifying them about the implementation of district-wide assessments. 

August 23, 2019

The District sent SCTA leaders this letter once again inviting SCTA leaders to begin contract negotiations. 

August 16, 2019

The District sent SCTA leaders this letter stating that the District does not believe any of the prior issues articulated by SCTA leaders are actually unresolved or impediments to beginning negotiations. 

August 2, 2019

The District submitted its initial proposal to SCTA leaders and requested round the clock negotiations to resolve its labor dispute with SCTA and reduce the budget deficit. Click here to read the cover letter to SCTA leaders. 

June 20, 2019

The District sent this correspondence to SCTA leaders once again requesting a date to meet to commence successor contract negotiations. Since November 9, 2018 the District has sent 9 letters offering 34 dates to commence negotiations. SCTA leaders have not accepted any of the District’s offered dates and have refused to commence successor contract negotiations for the 2019-20 school year. Click here to see all 9 previous letters the District has sent to SCTA leaders.

June 13, 2019

The District sent this correspondence to SCTA leadership urging them once again to commence contract negotiations and offering more dates to meet. 

June 3, 2019

The District sent this correspondence to SCTA leadership indicating that voluntary rate decreases by HealthNet due to market forces do not equate to savings that can be used to create new certificated positions per the SCTA-SCUSD collective bargaining agreement section 13.1.1. The District’s letter was in response to this email and this messenger sent out by SCTA to its members, stating the opposite.

May 28, 2019

The District sent this correspondence to SCTA leadership in response to SCTA leadership declining the District’s offer to add health plan options that could help the District save money on health insurance without changing the structure of benefits. 

May 23, 2019

The District sent this correspondence to SCTA leadership stating that the District has paid $266,500 to the non-profit CECHCR, for the purpose of implementing the promised health savings per the 2016-19 SCTA-SCUSD collective bargaining agreement. The District reiterated its request that SCTA leaders follow through on the actions SCTA is required to take in order to implement the health cost savings that the District is paying CECHCR to implement.

May 21, 2019

Since November 2018, the District has been requesting SCTA leaders commence successor contract negotiations. Below are links to correspondence with various District requests related to negotiations and contract disputes.

May 21st letter Requesting to Commence Negotiations

May 21st letter Requesting to Meet With CECHCR on Health Savings