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Richmond School Board adopts amended collective bargaining resolution after hours of public comment
Summary
After hours of public comment and an extended debate, the Richmond Public Schools board adopted an amended collective bargaining resolution on Nov. 11, 2025, by a 5-4 vote. Supporters said the draft balanced fiscal responsibility and bargaining; opponents called the process rushed and urged a delay for broader union input.
The Richmond Public Schools School Board voted 5-4 on Nov. 11 to adopt an amended collective bargaining resolution dated 11/07/2025 after an extended public comment period and more than an hour of board debate.
More than 20 preregistered speakers addressed the board during public comment, the vast majority urging the board to reject or delay the proposed changes. "Collective bargaining in Richmond Public Schools is a beacon," said Gwen Otwell, a Richmond for All board member, arguing the proposed changes would "gut" worker protections and that the process had sidelined union voices. REA representatives and several teachers repeated calls for stronger grievance procedures, transparent school-based budgets, and protections for multilingual learners and building safety.
Union leaders and rank-and-file members documented specific priorities they said were absent or weakened in the draft, including neutral arbitration, broad bargaining topics and clear transfer and grievance procedures. "We asked for a cost breakdown under the existing resolution," said Quentin Robbins, an organizer with Teamsters Local 322; he and others noted a reported figure circulating publicly but urged the board to prioritize fair process.
Board members were sharply split in their views. Mister Percival, who moved the resolution, said administrators and union partners reached a middle ground that preserves the core principles of collective bargaining while addressing the district's fiscal responsibilities. "I believe this is a middle ground that protects the core principles of collective bargaining," he said during debate.
Opponents on the dais voiced concerns about the speed of negotiations and the perception that not all partners felt adequately included. "People will remember how you make them feel in a process," said Doctor Harris Mohammed, who said he would vote no because union partners reported not feeling heard. Mister Farooq and Miss Burke also announced no votes, citing erosion of trust and the need for a more public, deliberative process.
The roll call vote recorded yes votes from Mister Percival, Miss Ricard, Miss Rizzi, Mister Jafari and Miss Fernandez; no votes from Mister Farooq, Mister Hedgepeth, Doctor Harris Mohammed and Miss Burke. The motion was moved by Mister Percival and seconded by Mister Jafari.
Board members also signaled a willingness to continue work on bargaining mechanics. After the adoption, Mister Farooq proposed creating a public, multi-party work group to review the new resolution and recommend consensus changes over the next six to eight months; he later rescinded the motion and said he would return with a fleshed-out proposal for a future meeting.
What happens next: the amended resolution goes into effect as the district's CBA policy; several speakers and board members noted statewide legislation under consideration could supersede local changes in coming months. Several board members committed to continuing dialogue with union partners and promised a review process if the amended resolution proves problematic.
Votes and formal actions taken on Nov. 11 related to bargaining were recorded in the meeting minutes and are reflected in the board's official action log.
