SRVUSD Board Approves 8.5% Teacher Raises

DANVILLE, CA — The San Ramon Valley Unified School District Tuesday unanimously approved a three-year master agreement negotiated with the San Ramon Valley Education Association union. The union has already ratified the tentative agreement, according to Assistant Superintendent Keith Rogenski.

The agreement will cost $18,343,948 over the course of the 2022-23 school year, according to an analysis by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (see page 16 of the agenda.) This represents an 8.6 percent overall increase to the district’s budget, which the CCOE said the district is able to afford.

The agreement includes a number of wins for educators, including:

• An 8.5 percent salary increase effective July 1, 2022 (teachers will be paid retroactively)
• A one-time payment of 1% of Nov. 1 salaries
• Revised extra pay stipends of $250 for a full day and $125 for a half-day up to 4 hours
• A cap of 24 students for K-3 classes. After 10 consecutive days with more than 24 students, teachers will receive 37.5% of their negotiated hourly rate.
• A cap of 29 students for grades 4-5. After 10 consecutive days with more than 29 students, teachers will receive 37.5% of their negotiated hourly rate.

“I know that while it was only four meetings, it was a lot of work, and a culture shift as well, and I really appreciate the evolution of negotiations in these last few cycles,” said Trustee Laura Bratt.

In February and March 2020, SRVEA members almost went on strike during tense negotiations.

“In addition to thanking the collaboration of all the players on the bargaining teams and behind the scenes, I do want to – I don’t do this very often – thank the state of California for finally providing us with some ongoing dollars, not one-time dollars that we’ve seen over the past few years, that allowed us more flexibility in terms of doing what was right for employees,” SRVUSD Board President Ken Mintz said. “Given the monies that were provided to us this year, we’re finding ourselves not having a structural deficit in a number of years, and it’s a great place to be in.”

“I support the raise being provided for through negotiations of 8.5 percent,” said Alamo Elementary School PTA president and SRVUSD Board candidate Michelle Peterson during public comment, after noting that teachers with whom she’s spoken say they feel “disrespected, undervalued, and underappreciated.”

“It is the right step to recruit and retain the quality educators this district is known for, and I really appreciate the collaboration that is happening at the board and district level compared to years past to be able to raise up and treat our educators as they deserve.”