Rohnert Park School District is holding students and teachers hostage. The dedicated teachers are working without a viable contract. The proposed contract only includes a 7% guaranteed wage increase over the next 3 years and one time “bonus” of $2K. This is while housing costs in this community have increased by over 20%. The current rental cost of a one bedroom is $2,263. Most of Rohnert park school teachers have more than one job, they often bartend, coach, work at local breweries, etc. These educators love their students but this exploration must end. Rohnert Park school teachers are eligible for state and community subsidies for housing! These teachers must have a degree and be credentialed to be in the classroom yet they are living in poverty.
At a time when school teachers are offered pennies the administration has continued to increase their salaries, as a % of salary per head the administration has a disproportionate share of budget. While the school district budget has grown the salaries of teachers those who directly serve students has not. Yet the administration has increased salaries and perks (cellphones, car subsides, etc). The administration claims they want to better improve conditions for teachers but they have not come to table with a proposition that will ultimately benefit students and teachers.
The board and superintendent of Rohnert Park School District are acting in bad faith and have not come to the table with an offer that actually allows teachers to live in the community that they serve. It's time to end the exploitation. Board meeting takes place February 15th, at 6pm at Tag Building, Rancho Cotate High School but the board will limit public comment to 20 minutes (a censure measure to minimize the visibility for support) make it known that school teachers will no longer be guilted into sacrificing their own well being for those who profit from greed.
Shame on the Board of Trustees Joe Camino, Leffler Brown, Chris Gillies, Michelle Wing and Mark Nelson and the Superintendent Mayra Perez.
Come out and support the teachers in the demand for fair wages. Meeting Place Tag Building Rancho Cotate High School 6pm! Wear Red and show up at 5pm to stand in unity with school teachers ahead of the Board Meeting.