We will be protesting the negative impact to library programs, child development programs, positive classroom environments, school safety, teacher morale, etc. etc. as result of recent budget cuts and RIFs.

Come out and support your fellow teachers and librarians, advocate for your students, and be part of a show of force.  Show the District how many people care and force them to do the right thing.

Bring your families, wear red, create banners and signs!

Nearly 200 UTP members, CSEA members, parents and students rallied at the Board of Education meeting on March 27.  Here is a transcript of UTP member David Berk's message to the Board -- Let's get this message out to our community!

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When last I spoke to you all, I asked about our district's spending.  I asked why you are trying to impose cuts to teachers' total compensation, impacting the quality of teachers our district can hire and retain, while choosing to hire a PR man in the same year, and stating your intent to eventually hire a director of secondary instruction as well. 

I asked why you are issuing pink slips to those of us closest to the classroom while we are retaining two directors of personnel.  Now, I'm asking why you adopted the supplemental Behavior RtI at cost to the district.  To this date, I've yet to hear any answers to my questions.

Now, I'm also asking why you're looking to impose up to 11 furlough days on our students and teachers, while making minimal cuts to administration.

Our teachers have sent you emails and made suggestions for how to open up the money in the budget to maintain current class sizes, keep a full instructional year including professional development days for teachers, and keep our teachers' total compensation levels steady so that we have the best chance to hire and retain the best and the brightest instructors for our students.

To reiterate:
Consolidate the Chief Finance Officer and the Budget Director positions;

Consolidate the Communications Director and the Communications Coordinator positions;

Consolidate the Special Education Director and the Special Education Coordinator positions;

Consolidate the Chief Technology Officer and the Technology Operations Coordinator positions;

Consolidate the Chief Human Resources Officer and the Human Resources Director positions;

And consolidate the Chief Academic Officer and Elementary Director positions.

The number of consultants needs to be reduced, and there should be a spending freeze in all District office departments that are not providing direct services to students.

The parents and teachers you see before you are here because they are upset, not only with California's  budget, but because your efforts to keep cuts away from our classrooms and kids are not yet good enough.

There is still time for you to do right by our parents, teachers, classrooms, and most importantly, students.

Make these recommended changes, rescind all layoffs, and drop your proposals at the bargaining table to cut teachers' total compensation and open up furlough days.  Thank you very much.

Senority List as of 3-6-12

On Friday, May 13, UTP members joined thousands of LA-area educators in Pershing Square and tens of thousands of educators state-wide to draw attention to the current "State of Emergency" in education funding.  Enjoy the photos, and please forward any photos of events during the Week of Action to Marcela in the UTP office.