By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–San Diego Educator Association (SDEA) members have announced a one-day school strike for February 26 regarding Special Education staffing issues as part of a statewide California Teacher’s Association initiative to bring educator pay and benefits in alignment with generous school districts like San Diego Unified.
The district’s decision to close schools during the one-day strike is driven by a careful assessment of student safety, supervision, and the district’s ability to operate schools in an orderly and responsible manner during a work stoppage that is expected to reduce available certificated staffing.
“We will honor the SDEA strike and close schools on February 26. Families should begin to find alternative arrangements for their children for that day, ” said Superintendent Fabi Bagula, Ph.D., San Diego Unified School District. “Closing schools for one day will ensure that students are not placed in situations where adequate supervision, instructional continuity, and campus safety cannot be reliably maintained. I am deeply committed to protecting instructional time and will ensure that this learning is fully recovered.”
The makeup date for classes will be on March 9 to ensure students receive the instructional time and services to support their success.
Right before winter break, SDEA members voted to go on a one-day strike. This strike means they have filed claims against some of the district’s practices, but San Diego Unified negotiators have already offered solutions that SDEA negotiators are still considering.
“Our educators are among the highest paid in the region, receive comprehensive benefits fully funded by the District, and work in classrooms with some of the lowest class size ratios in the region,” said Superintendent Bagula. “We have put concrete solutions on the table that remain under consideration, and we remain committed to bargaining in good faith and reaching an agreement that keeps students at the center. ”
According to the San Diego Unified School District, its educators’ salaries and benefits are among the highest in San Diego County, which is nearly 10% higher than the California average.
The district pays the full cost of medical, dental, and vision premiums for educators and their family members, and 90 percent of the district budget goes to salaries and benefits.
Currently, 97 percent of full-time special education teacher positions are filled. These teacher caseloads are less than the state maximum, the school district stated in a release.
The district is committed to building affordable housing for 10 percent of the workforce
