TVUSD Employees Honored, Then Plead For Classroom Safety At Governing Board Board Meeting

TEMECULA, CA — This week, the Temecula Valley Unified School District Governing Board honored paraprofessionals and educators who were each nominated by their schools for performance and contributions to their classrooms. They remained, under the support of the Temecula Valley Educators Association, to plead for safety in their classrooms.

It was standing room only inside the Tuesday meeting as the district recognized individual elementary and secondary school educators with awards at the beginning of the governing board meeting. TVUSD Human Resources Director, Dr. Michael McTasney, called the award winners "the quiet heroes of the school community."

School sites across the district nominated paraprofessionals who were honored at the Governing Board meeting.

"Every day across our district, our paraprofessionals work side by side with students and teachers, helping learning come to life. They guide students academically, socially and emotionally, and offer a steady presence students rely on throughout the school day," he added, as to the valued work each paraprofessional performs at campuses across the valley.

Edgar Diaz, president of the Temecula Valley Educators Association, addressed the award winners at the TVUSD board meeting spotlight, thanking them for their hard work and dedication to their classrooms and students.

"You just honored our colleagues who do more with less every day," he said, of the Temecula Valley Educators' March for Safety initiative. He spoke in support of teachers who remain at risk of losing their jobs and facing another year without financial advancement.

"You've asked us to increase student contact and workload, testing and intervention for students, longer wait time for assessment, as well as providing tech support," Diaz said.

"We demand the district address safety in classrooms for students and staff," he said. "Now, with 0% increase ongoing, the people who are responsible for keeping our schools safer are stretched thin. Our teachers and certificated staff cannot afford to live in the districts they serve."

The TVEA's March For Safety is a coordinated campaign with the Inland Empire Coalition for Safe Schools that highlights the urgent need for safe schools supported by adequately staffed and respected educators, according to a news release from the group.

The action comes amid growing concerns about staff injuries, increasing student needs, and the strain placed on educators responsible for maintaining safe learning environments.

"When the people responsible for keeping schools safe are falling behind financially, it puts the stability of our schools at risk," he added. "You can't build safe schools on exhausted educators and stagnant pay."

The governing board listened and did not comment on the statements at the meeting.

The March for Safety campaign is part of a broader effort taking place across the Inland Empire, as educator associations like the TVEA seek to raise awareness of the connection among educator support, safe working conditions, and student success.

The board and the TVEA will meet regarding bargaining on March 20, according to Emil Barham, during the 7-hour governing board meeting.

Watch the full TVUSD Governing Board meeting from Tuesday below.