Why this matters
South Bay Union serves about 3,500 students in preschool through eighth grade from communities in Imperial Beach, San Ysidro and southern San Diego, many of whom are considered low-income and identify as Hispanic or Latino. Hundreds of the district’s students will be impacted by its consolidation plan.
South Bay Union and its teachers have reached a tentative agreement on the terms of a new contract, likely avoiding a strike that would’ve impacted hundreds of students across the school district.
The new agreement still needs to be ratified — first by teachers and then by the district’s board. The process could take several days.
Teachers could receive more money, including what amounts to a 6% pay bump, according to details shared by the district. The contract would also reduce the number of students in kindergarten-through-third-grade combination classes and special education and provide teachers with additional support.
Although the delay in reaching a fair agreement was disappointing, the head of the teachers union said the process showed the power of the district’s community.
“We hope the district now recognizes that we will always stand up for our schools and we look forward to a future where students and staff are the primary priority,” Vanessa Barrera, president of the Southwest Teachers Association, told inewsource.
An agreement comes after nearly two years of negotiations between the district and its teachers’ union.
South Bay Union officials had previously said a pay bump and additional support were not financially feasible.
The district is preparing to close three campuses in response to declining student enrollment and financial challenges. It’s serving roughly half the student population it had a decade ago and experts expect those numbers to continue falling.
In California, fewer students means fewer dollars for its public schools.
This year, the district faces a $27 million hole in its $115 million operating budget and is projected to remain in a deficit until the 2028 year. It has a 5% reserve, which would allow operations to continue for 18 days until running out of money, according to the district.
Staff salaries and benefits comprise 90% of its budget.
District officials plan on sharing additional contract details and financial implications as a result of the agreement in the coming weeks.
Type of Content
News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
