(F0X40.COM) — Hundreds of community members showed up outside the Natomas Unified School District main building Wednesday afternoon to support local teachers. Natomas educators have been fighting for better working conditions and new contracts since February. On Wednesday, they emphasized they are done waiting.
FOX40 went to the rally and spoke with attendees, including a 3rd grader named Emma, who said she has one of the best teachers out there.
“I love her to infinity,” Emma said. “My favorite thing about her is honestly, it’s everything cuz she is just the best teacher I could ever wish for.”
Emma was one of more than 200 people who showed up Wednesday ahead of the school board’s meeting. Teachers, students and parents urged administrators to pick up the pace in contract negotiations.
Leng Lai’s wife is a teacher, so this cause is personal.
“These teachers are always asked to do more and more with less and less,” Lai told FOX40. “With the economy, budget, what have you, it is harder and harder to make ends meet. The teachers need our support.”
Educators told FOX40 that more than 60 teachers with the district resigned over the summer contributing to what they are calling a staffing crisis. Deidra Powell — a spokesperson for the school district — clarified that teacher shortages are happening across the country.
“We want to make sure that any decision we make, we’re not going to have to pay for it later,” Powell said.
The president of the Natomas Teachers’ Association told FOX40 that there are 29 teacher — and 15 instructional assistant — openings across the district. Nico Vaccaro said neighboring districts are paying teachers at least $20,000 more.
“We’re asking for competitive wages and benefits and will keep teachers here,” Vaccaro said.
FOX40 asked Powell about this.
“I don’t know what other districts are paying, but I do know that we have a lot of people who have selected to be here, and they remain here because they love it,” Powell said.
When asked to characterize this negotiation period, Powell said this is part of a normal bargaining process. She said the district will always support and value teachers, but that her team needs to be “fiscally solvent.”
Overall, participants said Wednesday’s rally was a reminder of unity and a symbol of hope.
And everyone seemed to agree on one thing…
“What is most important is our students,” Powell said.
Emma also shared a message for those who showed up at Wednesday’s rally.
“I feel really warm in my heart,” Emma said. “I feel like every single people that showed up here should be blessed.”
The next Natomas Unified School Board meeting is slated for November 19. People on both sides Wednesday evening said they want things to be resolved as soon as possible.
Sierra Krug
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