Valley View educators, support staff and students told the school board on Sept. 8 that stalled contract negotiations and a district proposal to add 20 minutes to the high school day prompted widespread anger and a union vote authorizing possible strike action. The meeting at the Valley View School District drew dozens of speakers and repeated calls for the board to return to the bargaining table.

Union leaders and dozens of classroom teachers said the district’s proposal to shift high school start times earlier — the board has discussed a 7:10 a.m. start that would add 20 minutes to the day — would increase teacher workload, reduce instructional time per class and harm extracurriculars. "If there's a strike, it's because of you, the board, not because of our educators," parent and teacher advocate Hannah Hernandez said.

The Valley View Council (the local teachers’ council) told the board it had secured authorization from its membership to call a strike if needed; the council said more than 90% of members voted and a large majority authorized a work stoppage. A council representative said members want to avoid a strike but will picket if negotiations do not produce a fair contract before the council’s deadline.

Why it matters: teachers, paraprofessionals, security staff, bus drivers and students all warned that a work stoppage would disrupt instruction, fall sports, AP exam preparation and other activities, and they urged the board to resolve negotiations quickly. State Sen. Rachel Ventura, whose district includes Valley View schools, backed the staff, saying the board should "pass a fair contract without the added compensated 20-minute time and send these teachers back to the classrooms to do what they do best."

Statements and concerns from the meeting centered on three linked points: pay and benefits, academic and schedule changes, and district communications. Several speakers objected to a district email the week before that outlined potential insurance and payroll consequences if employees struck; teachers said the unsigned message was designed to intimidate staff. Julie Haas, a classroom teacher, said the district email ended with the single word "respectfully," followed by a blank signature, and called the message a scare tactic. Security officer Leila Kathmire said the district’s proposed insurance changes would raise family deductibles from $1,500 to $3,000 for some employees and urged the board to remove spousal exclusions that would leave many families paying out of pocket.

Students also testified. A number of high school students said they were not consulted about the proposed earlier start and said earlier bell times would worsen sleep loss and stress for students who have jobs and extracurricular commitments. "You didn't ask us. You didn't listen," sophomore Patrick Kavanaugh told the board. Several speakers described their experiences in the district — citing research-backed programs and student supports — and said those strengths argue for resolving labor disputes without adding uncompensated work.

Union and community organizers urged the district to pursue a negotiated settlement rather than placing contract language that imposes an earlier start in a tentative agreement. The council’s representative said the union is seeking fair pay increases across employee categories and protections for educator autonomy in grade books and classroom planning.

The board did not vote on contract language or the proposed schedule change at the Sept. 8 meeting. Multiple board members said they were working toward negotiations and expected to continue talks the following week.

What to watch next: the union signaled a possible strike date if no deal is reached, and community members said they will continue public pressure and picket-line support. The board scheduled its next regular meeting for Sept. 22.