Battling wind and rain, Robla Teachers Association members took to the streets March 29 to share why they’re fighting for a fair contract. Their goals include better salaries to attract and retain the best teachers for Robla students and more prep time so they can better teach their students.

Teachers have been bargaining for 13 months and without a contract for over nine months. RTA is at impasse with Robla Unified School District (RUSD) after district management refused to budge on issues important to educators. RTA President Leah Boylan says educators have done their homework and RUSD can afford their proposals. “We are losing excellent teachers to neighboring districts that offer higher salaries, and management doesn’t seem to care,” she noted. “When teachers leave, that hurts our students.”

Educators also want improved evaluations and they want a say in how teachers are evaluated. “We want professional evaluations that improve teaching, not just check a box,” she said.

Consolidating meetings to provide more preparation and better instruction is on the table. As is equity in time commitment among teachers. “Dual Language Instruction (DLI) teachers do more work than the stipend offered,” she said. “Too often they are asked to voluntarily participate in meetings. We are education professionals. Not volunteers.”

“RTA is committed to negotiating a fair and equitable contract on behalf of Robla teachers and students. We have been proposing contract language that would provide our teachers with the time, support and resources our students need to continue succeeding,” Boylan said. “We want a contract that offers a competitive salary schedule that will help attract and keep the best teachers for our students.”