Adult education teachers urge board to approve petition to join union, cite low pay and staffing shortages

Multiple teachers from Mount Diablo Adult Education and supporters addressed the board during public comment on April 23, urging trustees to approve a petition to join the Mount Diablo Education Association (MADEA) so adult educators can collectively bargain for higher pay and improved working conditions.

Speakers described adult education programs that serve English learners, healthcare training, computer technology, job preparation and citizenship classes and said the program serves thousands of students annually. Presenters including Terry Felizzo, Elsa Steckel, Amanda Sokoc (Sakatas in transcript), Maureen Antone (reading a letter from a colleague), Wendy Okada and others said adult education instructors are paid substantially less than peers in other districts, often lack prep time and vacation pay, and cite difficulty recruiting and retaining credentialed teachers. One presenter said Mount Diablo Adult Ed serves 3,731 students this year and 3,807 last year in the programs she described; presenters said the adult school had the largest state apportionment in the county’s consortium yet the lowest instructor pay.

Speakers asked trustees to approve the adult school’s petition to join MADEA to secure higher wages, paid preparation time, stipends for advanced degrees and better retention. MADEA representatives in the audience indicated the union would welcome the adult school into its bargaining unit.

Trustees did not take an immediate vote on a union petition during the meeting; staff noted public comments were part of the record and indicated the board would follow its established process for petitions and associated staff reports as required by law and board policy.

The public comment period also included other individuals speaking on dual immersion placement appeals and a public endorsement of a Sequoia teacher. The board thanked speakers and acknowledged the issues raised.