[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6595362,"mediaKeyId","3034286-c43fa502111ca7b907e841544c21e5d3","parentId",3034286,"title","Board approves tentative agreement with Teamsters and MOU raising pay for skilled trades positions","audioSeconds",364,"startMs",8509000,"endMs",8873000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3034286-c43fa502111ca7b907e841544c21e5d3&start=8509&end=8873","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3034286-c43fa502111ca7b907e841544c21e5d3/thumbnail_8509000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6595362/California/Board-approves-tentative-agreement-with-Teamsters-and-MOU-raising-pay-for-skilled-trades-positions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595362-faf9d14add0e23b7dea490f6c8b5c204/orig.mp4?Expires=1771082600&Signature=bdaTCR4CYIRrvbmkz9FltLdD-3unz85idFZorfx~7yrBg8CzVd5ZI3gC2jV7wiwRO4vUU4M9jxGb-7LFAtCLESMrDJisFNI-tD-uLl~sQatpUTz4ewj52jhq~3FuO-1MIvZNf3r4H8A1JDNJ16H5R4~aaJgGOj7-DeNvb2M3cb0UUXI8Xv1fz6QaX4UPJGaj8XiLFRHwoCLWb0j2yq4PV9C~GnBHh4Tz3olKDeOjJXBL01agXoxS0lh28iUDCqPwp~UAmhHdSKgZCixflXlD4pxJ9JGPhd7noyPc2-PvqOTa82zY21j2LeTs1XnDLr8rExLtTc1jKxbb8ONEEfVOUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mt. Diablo Unified","date","2025-04-17T04:56:58.577Z","article","The Mount Diablo Unified School District Board of Education on April 16 approved a tentative agreement with Teamsters Local 856 covering reopeners for the 2023–26 collective bargaining agreement and separately approved a memorandum of understanding that updates job descriptions and increases salary rates for skilled-trades positions.

Director of Maintenance/Operations and labor negotiators briefed the board, saying a study by School Services of California found that outdated roles and low wages contributed to high vacancy rates for skilled and general maintenance positions. Board documents and staff remarks said job descriptions were revised and salary rates increased through the MOU process to improve recruitment and retention.

Chief negotiator and staff thanked Teamsters representatives and district negotiators for collaborative work. The board moved and voted to approve both the tentative agreement (reopener negotiations) and the skilled-trades MOU; both were recorded as adopted with board support reported as unanimous on the meeting record.

Ending
Staff said the actions are intended to reduce vacancies and improve facilities support across district sites; Human Resources and Maintenance & Operations will execute updated job descriptions and implement adjusted salary schedules.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mt. Diablo USD Board Meeting 4/16/2025 Part 2","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved a tentative agreement with Teamsters Local 856 covering reopeners for 2023–26 and a memorandum of understanding that updates job descriptions and raises salary rates for skilled trades positions after a district study found vacancies tied to outdated roles and low wages.","taxTitle","Mt. Diablo Unified, School Districts, California","taxId",14134,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6595367,"Mount Diablo Unified reports 6,000 multilingual learners; district pilots OPTEL, recommends shift from i-Ready to STAR for reclassification",1268,4009000,5277000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3034286-c43fa502111ca7b907e841544c21e5d3&start=4009&end=5277","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3034286-c43fa502111ca7b907e841544c21e5d3/thumbnail_4009000.jpg","/articles/6595367/California/Mount-Diablo-Unified-reports-6000-multilingual-learners-district-pilots-OPTEL-recommends-shift-from-i-Ready-to-STAR-for-reclassification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595367-c6341b71e2276c1bbb56e4dcfabdfb32/orig.mp4?Expires=1771082600&Signature=NnpaZTmPPxJ0lppYRhseMxz-AJbQOmj7Jfq~9U6Xz30pZTYO7dZx~BDJQaBiKL2YUQUOjFC6QmAjnGq4FR5i9qA-zoQDSeZb1LbVaI4NPNdrLJdUpvMLHLSgyjltbQVeWX~bVDL4ykoGfsY4ensUjWdh8BbF4YUi0kukKNxdP37SoGa7PoemWRswFmLiSk6-ADZ7lL~0u0iGBgBy4Z-2s4LbO38XFTKJrB6GIsgCPbvzXAt3IZFDypI~Ss8IyWIuSVGZccoJh8JUovVcUhHr0YgJPZqmGGpnB6nQg8cyl8k6tedzOo~yMCf8NjJ6wZdGOMepAVgaL-3gFt0yAozFpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mount Diablo Unified School District staff presented data and next steps on multilingual learners at the board’s April 16 meeting, saying the district serves roughly 6,000 English learners (TK–12) plus about 2,000 students monitored after reclassification and is piloting new evaluation and reclassification practices for the coming year.

The department described several subgroup counts and program details: about 1,146 students are dually identified (English learner plus special education), 1,853 are labeled “newcomers” (students born outside the U.S. who have been in U.S. schools three years or less), 799 are at risk of becoming long-term English learners (LTELs), and 1,645 were identified as LTELs under the district’s alignment with state reporting (students in the district for seven years or more who have not reclassified).

Katherine (Katherine/\"Catherine\" in transcript) from the multilingual department explained reclassification requires four criteria: a summative ELPAC score (a federally required English proficiency test), teacher evaluation (currently graded report-card metrics), family consultation, and a basic-skills comparison test. The department said it is phasing out the use of i-Ready as the districtwide “basic skills” comparison and moving to the statewide STAR assessment so comparisons align across all students.

The district also described a planned expansion of the Observation Protocol for Teachers of English Learners (OPTEL), a state rubric that guides teacher observation of English learner interactions and can inform reclassification decisions without relying solely on grades. Staff said they are piloting OPTEL in selected elementary, middle and high schools this spring with a goal to broaden implementation next year.

Staff noted LTELs underperformed on multiple measures in district and state dashboards: for secondary LTELs the presentation showed high rates of “standard not met” on ELA and elevated chronic absenteeism and suspension rates compared with all students. The department said prior factors associated with LTEL status include inconsistent ELD services, teacher turnover, frequent school transitions and socioeconomic challenges.

To address the issues, district staff outlined priorities including focused coaching and interventions at high-need sites, cross-departmental work with special education and elementary/secondary teams, and more intensive early-instruction efforts (starting in TK and kindergarten) to accelerate language and literacy development. Staff described recent professional development emphasizing the science of reading with a language lens and said almost all secondary teachers received “constructing meaning” training to support integrated ELD strategies.

Board members asked technical questions about the shift from i-Ready to STAR and about why some students remain LTELs after multiple years; staff answered with specifics about the state definitions, the timing of dashboard calculations and the need for consistent, early literacy and language instruction. The board took no vote on the report; staff said they would return with formal proposals and requests for approvals (for example, OPTEL implementation and the STAR transition) in coming months.

Ending
The multilingual learners presentation spanned data, program pilots and professional development plans. Staff asked the board to expect return items with specific approvals for OPTEL pilots and the move to STAR as the district’s basic-skills comparison for reclassification.
","The district told the board it serves about 6,000 multilingual learners (plus 2,000 monitored reclassified students), highlighted 1,645 long-term English learners and outlined pilot plans for the OPTEL teacher observation tool and moving basic-skills comparisons from i-Ready to the statewide STAR test.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6595372,"Parents and teachers urge Mount Diablo Unified to reinstate principals at Riverview and Pleasant Hill",3143,436000,3579000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3034286-c43fa502111ca7b907e841544c21e5d3&start=436&end=3579","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3034286-c43fa502111ca7b907e841544c21e5d3/thumbnail_436000.jpg","/articles/6595372/California/Parents-and-teachers-urge-Mount-Diablo-Unified-to-reinstate-principals-at-Riverview-and-Pleasant-Hill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595372-10d029e8e30ba248c69bf64a2f4e347c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771082600&Signature=Jh0KcJtrkShSg8IOSik3SG4IElSnTgVi5LDrLISuvXlW7JcQtE4d0MKZ9T8rEaiWp~LsDp2nYba9IbQyHkcCy~p0~mIm3IKwLx8eHc7nxdCdOV~lBPgMs4IrRHxIHhmzlYpSp1yM2l8s5r-PwR-4TNzIW~D9GSaMlv9qRoyn7lpvm5BTG~FXAjw2eiQHaX-4EqngxD-~RuaiTCDdC2WcZpY93Vn84lENj-eBoe8IJxLDy-RuU7AWwADwySEa6597fXV90gssf-8xPrklhauZFoEV4PQx3uPdTFBgo7zwNFT-q6TiWuHHroR2Fyb9gyKDjt5D-DsrDBwdHG1CJm4MjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of parents, teachers and staff urged the Mount Diablo Unified School District Board of Education on April 16 to reverse personnel decisions affecting two elementary/middle school principals, saying the changes risk destabilizing Title I campuses.

Speakers from Riverview Middle School and Pleasant Hill Elementary presented a staff letter, petitions and personal accounts asserting that current principals had improved school climate and student supports. They asked the board to reconsider decisions that would remove or not reappoint the principals.

The appeals centered on two separate personnel matters. At Riverview Middle School, teachers and community members spoke in support of Principal Lori Clark, saying her leadership improved attendance, reduced suspensions and stabilized staffing. Cori Lynch Grant, identified in public comment as a teacher with more than 20 years’ experience, said Clark’s leadership “has improved Riverview in nearly every measurable way” and asked the board to “reconsider the decision to remove Ms. Lori Clark as principal.” Jennifer Smith read a letter she said was signed by 30 Riverview staff describing Clark’s “sense of calm, purpose, and direction” and urging the board to allow her to remain.

At Pleasant Hill Elementary (PHE), parents and staff objected to the district’s decision not to retain Principal Nicholas Ray. Speakers presented petitions and said Ray provided conflict resolution, supported students with individualized plans, and improved schoolwide instruction and morale. Tess Nicosia, who identified herself as a parent, said she was “extremely disappointed in the district’s decision to let my principal, Nick Ray, at Pleasant Hill Elementary go at the end of the school year.” Kristen Tennyson said she collected a petition signed by roughly 100 caregivers urging the board to extend Ray’s contract.

Multiple commenters described active, organized campaigns to retain the principals: Heather Hollis said she brought “68 signatures” on short notice and expected more with additional time; others said teachers had collected signatures during the school day. Several parents asked the board for greater transparency about why the personnel decisions were made. One parent asked the board to “pause this particular process right now until you can engage with us and determine what PHE needs moving forward.”

Superintendent Dr. Clark responded during the meeting by noting personnel matters are legally confidential and said the district cannot discuss individual personnel details publicly. Dr. Clark said she visits school sites frequently and reiterated district priorities on student safety, instructional support and principal leadership, and said the district would continue work to support students and staff.

Votes at a glance
- Appointment of Gilberto Parada Jr. as principal at El Monte Elementary School — motion passed; board recorded as approving the appointment (motion moved by Trustee Kount; second by Trustee McDougall). (Transcript: approval announced following motion.)
- Appointment of Carrie Nierheim as principal at Highlands Elementary School — motion passed (moved by Trustee Mason; second by Trustee Kount).
- Appointment of Madison Benz to an elementary principal position (site TBD) — motion passed (moved by Trustee Nzewi; second by Trustee McDougall).
- Appointment of Anne McNamara Kim as principal at Pleasant Hill Elementary — motion passed (moved by Trustee Nzewi; second by Trustee McDougall). Several public commenters asked the board to pause or reconsider that appointment; the board proceeded and voted to approve the appointment by recorded vote.

What the public asked the board to do
Public commenters requested: reversal of the personnel actions; a pause to engage parents, teachers and students before implementing leadership changes; and clearer explanation of the district’s decision-making process. Commenters cited data and concrete examples (improved attendance, decreased suspensions, reclassification gains for multilingual learners) to support their claims about site leadership.

Context and next steps
Board members and district staff repeatedly reminded the audience that individual personnel matters are confidential under law and therefore not subject to public discussion at the board table. Several parents said they understood confidentiality limits but asked the board to provide general explanations and to increase community input for future principal selections. The board approved multiple administrative appointments during the meeting; the district’s personnel office and the board clerk will post final appointment records and effective dates as required.

Ending
Speakers closed the public comment period after roughly 30 minutes of remarks. The board proceeded with agenda business, including the formal appointments listed above and the superintendent’s report.
","Dozens of parents, teachers and staff urged the Mount Diablo Unified School District board to reverse decisions removing or not renewing principals at Riverview Middle School and Pleasant Hill Elementary, delivering petitions, a staff letter and multiple public comments at the April 16 board meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves tentative agreement with Teamsters and MOU raising pay for skilled trades positions

Mount Diablo Unified reports 6,000 multilingual learners; district pilots OPTEL, recommends shift from i-Ready to STAR for reclassification

Parents and teachers urge Mount Diablo Unified to reinstate principals at Riverview and Pleasant Hill