Las Lomitas Elementary School Board members are asleep at the wheel when the community needs them most, as the historic movement for Las Lomitas schools and students continues to grow, with union educators on strike for the third straight day in Menlo Park and Atherton – the richest ZIP Code in America.

The 92 members of Las Lomitas Education Association (LLEA) set up lively picket lines again this morning at both Las Lomitas and La Entrada schools, with an overwhelming feeling of inspiring unity and a palpable anger at a Las Lomitas School Board that continues to fail Las Lomitas students and community. At this morning’s press conference, LLEA Co-President Jennifer Montalvo said the union bargaining team has brought thoughtful and reasonable proposals to the table the past three days, but district leadership doesn’t appear to be interested in coming to a fair agreement and ending the strike.

“The LLEA remains unwavering in our pursuit of a fair and just agreement … School board, we’re calling you out. You have the opportunity to do the right thing,” Montalvo said. “Our school board has the authority to end this strike, but instead, they are allowing educators to do this for three days, losing wages and preventing our students from receiving a quality education.”

The unity and solidarity of LLEA members is stronger than ever, with their commitment to Atherton and Menlo Park students building a movement for public schools in the most unlikely of places – the wealthiest part of the wealthiest country in the world. Every day, more parents, students and community members join LLEA picket lines to stand with educators for the future of Las Lomitas students and declare that we can’t wait for the resources and support they need. Yesterday afternoon, LLEA members went door-to-door to meet with district families, talk about the ongoing situation and ask for their support in helping to end the strike.

LLEA members visited Las Lomitas Atherton/Menlo Park neighborhoods to talk about the strike.

“Our community thrives because of our teachers,” said Las Lomitas parent Debbie Fisher, who spoke at this morning’s press event. “It breaks my heart having to see them stand up for themselves this way. It should have never gotten to this point … Eleven teachers left last year and I worry that more will leave because of the damage this is causing.”

Despite the pleas of parents, students and community, Las Lomitas school board and management has not officially increased its contract offer since before the strike began – choosing inaction while the Atherton and Menlo Park communities cry out for leadership and an end to the strike. LLEA Co-President Daniella Lefer says the commitment to a fair contract has only grown stronger during this strike – a solemn promise not only to each other as LLEA members but to the students they serve that the quality of their education is a struggle worth fighting.

“Every day we strike, we stand up for the quality of education they deserve,” Lefer said this morning. “Our resolve is unbreakable. Our unity is unshakeable. Together, we will win. One day longer, one day stronger!”

LLEA Co-Presidents Daniella Lefer and Jennifer Montalvo

LLEA members wore pink today in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to call attention to their ongoing fight for fair and adequate health care. LLEA leaders said their walk on picket lines today was dedicated to fellow educators who have fought and are fighting breast cancer.

LLEA members have worked without a contract since July 2023. They are at a standstill due to the district’s failure to agree on a deal that retains and recruits qualified educators and addresses the high teacher turnover. Soaring housing and healthcare costs are forcing educators to take second jobs to survive.

“We will not be broken,” said LLEA member Caryn Carlson. “The (school) board can end this.”

As the gap in compensation widens between LLESD and neighboring districts, it becomes harder to attract and retain educators. LLESD, once a leader in educator compensation, is now falling behind neighboring districts, deepening a crisis where educators are forced to leave a profession they love. LLEA members are now the lowest paid compared to nearby school districts, forcing unprecedented turnover rates for the community.

“We are a united force standing strong together for our students, our schools and our community,” Lefer said. ”Every time we show up on this line, we are sending a message that we know our worth and we will not back down until we reach an agreement that supports our students and values educators. We are LLEA Strong.”

After picketing this morning, LLEA will lead a march for the future of Las Lomitas schools from La Entrada Middle School to Sharon Park (1100 Monte Rosa Dr., Menlo Park) at 11:30 a.m., where educators will hold a rally and festival from 12:30 to 3 p.m.

Keep updated on the Las Lomitas educators strike by following on Facebook and Instagram, and help support by joining them on the picket lines. And donate to the LLEA Strike Hardship Fund to help support Las Lomitas educators who are putting it all on the line for their students.