California’s educator leaders came together last weekend in Los Angeles to organize to defend public education and protect our public schools from potentially devastating funding cuts and other threats.

State Council was filled with rainbows as CTA members celebrated Pride.

Educators at CTA State Council of Education’s meeting were focused on our fight to defend public education funding, with an eye toward the crucial November election, now less than six months away. During his inspiring report to State Council, CTA President David Goldberg said our collective actions have the power to impact the future of public school funding for decades to come.

“It’s time to fight back against threats and fight forward to seize opportunities to fix our broken system,” Goldberg said. “We all know that California’s students, schools and communities deserve more. Despite being the fifth largest economy in the world, not a single one of our students is getting what they deserve. It doesn’t have to be this way.”

CTA President David B. Goldberg

The meeting came on the heels of CTA’s late-May agreement with Gov. Gavin Newsom that will honor the Proposition 98 minimum education funding guarantee and protect future public schools dollars. Goldberg urged CTA members to keep the pressure on their state legislators to pass a state budget that protects school funding today and for years to come.

“Our state is facing a massive deficit. In times like this, it’s critical for us to refuse to accept that our students’ educational experience is defined by years of cuts,” Goldberg said. “Students deserve more resources today – not less.”

State Council members conducted business at the final meeting this school year.

As we defend public education funding, our union is already organizing for the November presidential election – when voters will decide the direction of our country, state and schools, with more than 2,000 school board seats up statewide. Also a potential election battle, the fight to defeat the Taxpayer Deception Act, a billionaire-funded initiative that takes away the rights of local voters, creates new loopholes so the wealthy can avoid paying their fair share, and would force deep cuts to schools and public services. The state Supreme Court will soon decide whether this initiative will appear on the ballot.

NEA President Becky Pringle brought love to CTA State Council.

“Winning all the things” was a refrain by NEA President Becky Pringle, who visited CTA State Council, bringing her amazing energy and delivering a passionate speech about her love for CTA, calling our union a lighthouse.

“You are a guiding light to states, locals and members in ways you don’t even know – shining that light on equity and access and doing what’s right,” Pringle said, noting that one out of every nine students in the United States are seen, heard, supported and valued by CTA members. “I love you, CTA!”

CTA leaders celebrated journalists who won John Swett Awards for Media Excellence.

Observances & Honors, Welcomes & Farewells

State Council observed Pride Month and Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, with touching presentations. Council also recognized some of CTA’s most dedicated members, honoring CTA Higher Education Educator of the Year Ed Gomez, of San Bernardino Community College District Teachers Association, and thanking outgoing State Council representatives who are leaving after nine years of service, due to term limits.

CTA Higher Education Educator of the Year Ed Gomez

CTA State Council’s Communications Committee also hosted the annual John Swett Awards for Media Excellence, which honors outstanding efforts in education journalism.

State Council elected two new members to the CTA Board of Directors: Oak Grove Education Association member Maripaz Berlin won election to the District B seat and Oxnard Educators Association member Maritza Ávila won election to the District G seat. When these two women take office on June 26, it will be a historic first for CTA – in our union’s 161-year history, it will be the first time there is a majority of women on the CTA Board of Directors.

CTA’s officers with the winners of the CTA State Gold Award: CSU Chico’s Professional and Continuing Education Department!

Council also bid farewell to some dedicated leaders, honoring State Council representatives leaving seats after nine years of service, due to term limits, and thanking outgoing District B Director Greg Bonaccorsi and District G Director Dr. Taunya Jaco for their service on the CTA Board.

CTA State Council of Education will meet next on Oct. 18-20.

United Educators of San Francisco Executive Vice President Frank Lara and President Cassondra Curiel

The amazing CTA State Council house band

CTA Executive Director Jeff Good

CTA State Council is democracy in action, as members debate issues and vote on positions. Pictured: United Teachers Los Angeles President Cecily Myart-Cruz