Teachers and other Sacramento City Unified School District employees will hold a one-day strike Thursday in response to what their union calls unfair labor practices and failed mediation attempts with the district.
Here’s what you need to know about the strike and what it means for Sacramento’s parents and students.
Why are teachers and employees striking?
The Sacramento City Teachers Association says that the district backtracked on a November 2017 agreement to use health plan savings to fund class-size reductions and increase student services, which the district disputes. The union also accuses the district of other “unlawful activities.”
SCUSD is currently facing a $35 million budget deficit. The move also comes on the heels of high-profile teacher strikes in Los Angeles and Oakland.
SCTA represents about 2,800 teachers, school nurses, psychologists, speech therapists and substitutes across the district.
Will schools still be open?
Yes. All Sacramento City Unified schools will be open Thursday, district spokesperson Alex Barrios told Insight With Beth Ruyak.
“We do understand that some employees may not come to work but we will have a regular school day,” he said. “We will have classes and it will be staffed with replacement teachers, administrators with credentials, and we’ll also make sure that we serve meals for both breakfast and lunch and we plan on our bus routes operating as usual.”
The district is doing regular attendance monitoring, Barrios said, and if a student is absent because of the strike it will be marked as unexcused.
Teachers will be holding a rally at the district’s Serna Center at noon.
SCUSD has about 40,000 students across 75 school sites.
How can families stay up to date?
The district website, scusd.edu, will have the latest information, Barrios said. They are also doing direct calls and text messages to families, and posting updates to district social media accounts.
You can also keep up with CapRadio’s continuing coverage here on our website, and in our newscasts on 90.9 FM or at player.capradio.org. Listen to Morning Edition for the latest, and follow us on Twitter @CapRadioNews for photos, updates and more.
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