Dublin Teachers, District Reach Contract Agreement

DUBLIN, CA — After a year of “difficult” negotiations, rallies and informational picketing, Dublin educators and the school district have finally reached a tentative contract agreement. The two-year agreement will provide funds for student resources, limits K-5 class sizes to 24-28, provides a counselor at each elementary site and raises of 4.5 percent if members vote to ratify it, the Dublin Teachers Association announced Thursday.

"We are happy to announce that the DTA and Dublin Unified School District have reached a tentative agreement in their negotiations," a district spokesperson told Patch.

A ratification vote is scheduled for Monday afternoon, according to DTA President Roberta Kreitz. If approved by DTA members, the contract will be taken to the Dublin Unified School District Board of Trustees for approval at its meeting on April 23.

"Through the power and strength of organizing, parent support, and our unity, DTA reached a tentative agreement with the district that will benefit our students and help to attract and retain educators to our district," Kreitz said. "This settlement is a good step in the right direction toward investing in educators and the future of our community."

In March, 98 percent of the 625 members in the DTA voted to approve a strike. The DTA had been haggling over a new contract for the past year and declared an impasse in January – an action that triggered the involvement of a state mediator.

“Given the budget challenges in public education, we believe we have an agreement that both parties can be happy with. We want to thank DTA for their efforts in working through this process together. Both parties have taken great strides to bridge our gaps and create a solution that works for Dublin,” said Amy Miller, President, Dublin Unified School District Board of Trustees.

Soon after the strike was approved, Dr. Leslie Boozer abruptly stepped down as the superintendent. Boozer's last day was March 26, just weeks after longtime school board member Dan Cunningham submitted his verbal resignation. In February, Niranjana Natarajan, a newly appointed Trustee, was terminated after a community petition was filed with the county.

On April 15, Dr. Dave Marken will take over as the Interim Superintendent of the Dublin Unified School District, according to Miller.

“Our goal has been to maintain the exceptional educational experience we offer our students by reaching a deal that was in the best interests of our fantastic teachers and the fiscal health of our district,” said Matt Campbell, Acting Superintendent, Dublin Unified School District.

See Also:

• Dublin School Board Announces Interim Superintendent
  
• County Supe Pledges $5K To Replace Damaged DHS Softball Equipment