Teachers’ association raises concerns about substitutes, TK access and upcoming funding measure

Jennifer Landry, president of the Association of Coronado Teachers (ACT), delivered the organization’s report to the board, promoting an upcoming Silver Strand Luau fundraiser and raising operational concerns that teachers say affect instruction.

Landry described member-led auction items for a May 2 fundraiser and asked the community to bid. She also summarized topics from a recent California Teachers Association state council, including school safety, paid pregnancy leave and efforts to remove or modify the edTPA requirement for teacher credentialing.

In a longer segment, Landry told the board about day-to-day impacts members see in classrooms: difficulty obtaining substitutes and classroom aides, constraints on purchasing supplemental instructional materials, and funding decisions that led to teachers covering responsibilities or paying out of pocket for conference registration. “Sure, it's a cost savings on a spreadsheet, but the actual cost is harmful to teaching and learning,” she said, describing teachers covering absent colleagues and missing prep time.

Landry also urged the board to discuss TK (transitional kindergarten) funding and access, referencing outreach with the state superintendent on TK in basic aid districts and noting that districts were encouraged to make TK accessible. The ACT asked for a conversation with district leaders about staffing and resource decisions that teachers say have operational consequences.

No board action was taken on the report; the presentation served as a formal update and a request for further dialogue between ACT and district leadership.