EMBRACING THE BELIEF that we are stronger together, 20 CTA local associations in the San Francisco Bay Area have united in a coalition, working together and collaboratively with management to ensure that students and educators have the resources they need to succeed and thrive.

Formed in September 2022, the East Bay Coalition for Student Success (EBCSS) is committed to ensuring local school districts continue to prioritize funds to provide the best for student learning and educator retention and attraction. Locals and district management teams in the coalition have been working hard at the bargaining table to win agreements that focus resources on students and educators.

“Since we launched the EBCSS, we have been calling on East Bay decision-makers to do right by students and ensure their success is a priority,” says Laura Finco, president of San Ramon Valley Education Association (SRVEA). “Educators deserve a voice at the bargaining table to ensure that each of our students get their needs met and the individualized attention they deserve.”

The student-centered collaboration between local unions and districts has strengthened their relationships and set strong foundations for continued partnership. The EBCSS is a movement with the guiding principle that all students deserve the best. With challenges like the ongoing educator shortage crisis, EBCSS and district management teams are fighting back with strategic action and shared trust to focus on the safety, health and overall well-being of every student. The hope is that these collaborations are a model, with others following these successful partnerships and truly putting students and educators first.

“We believe student success is everyone’s success,” says Valorie Luke, president of Antioch Education Association. “Setting aside differences is possible and it is what keeps our communities thriving and working together for the greater good.”

Many coalition member locals have been able to win significant improvements in educator attraction and retention by increasing salary competitiveness and improving health benefits. These include Antioch Education Association, Brentwood Teachers Association, Dublin Teachers Association, San Leandro Teachers Association, San Ramon Valley Education Association, Association of Piedmont Teachers, Martinez Education Association, Benicia Teachers Association, John Swett Education Association and Orinda Teachers Association. Other locals have also been successful in making gains that will help districts attract and retain educators.

“We want to make sure students, regardless of their ZIP code, have access to the best resources,” says Celia Medina-Owens, Pittsburg Education Association bargaining chair. “When educators stay in the community, they help improve the emotional and mental well-being of their students.”

The coalition also took time to celebrate school districts that are working as partners in successful student-centered collaboration with educators – this year’s winners of the first-ever Student Success Trailblazer Award are Antioch, Benicia, John Swett, Martinez, Moraga, Pittsburg and San Ramon Valley school districts. Finco presented the award to San Ramon Valley Unified leaders during a school board meeting.

“California students deserve the best and educators from every chapter in this coalition are committed to delivering it,” Luke says.