Twin Rivers educators demand pay increases and object to $226 million reallocation
Summary
Hundreds of educators and parents told the Twin Rivers Unified board they are shortchanged by district pay and benefit changes and urged trustees to stop shifting $226,000,000 they say was meant for students into capital projects; speakers called for ending waiver use and prioritizing classroom staff.
Hundreds of educators, parents and community members pressed the Twin Rivers Unified School District board on staffing, compensation and budget priorities at a board meeting where several speakers accused the district of redirecting funds away from classrooms.
Britney Ward, introduced as TRUE president during public comment, said educators had rallied earlier in large numbers and that months of stalled negotiations have left classrooms strained. "Enough is enough," Ward said, adding that at the start of this year "nearly 100 teaching positions sat vacant," a shortage she said has forced overcrowded classrooms.
Several teachers and union representatives told trustees that rising medical benefit costs have reduced take-home pay and described the district’s use of budget waivers as unfair. "The claim that [teaching] is fairly compensated is far from the reality," said Jusilla Ramirez, a third-grade bilingual teacher and TRUE organizing chair, who told trustees she and colleagues have seen reduced pay and growing demands. Ramirez also said the district had redirected "$226,000,000, money specifically designated for students and staff into a capital improvement fund." She urged the board to prioritize staff compensation and not to use unrestricted funds for projects meant to be paid by bond or capital funds.
Sarah Cavallari, identified as TRUE vice president, said almost 1,000 educators rallied outside the board prior to the meeting and criticized a district presentation that, she said, showed Twin Rivers spending only 28% of its budget on educator salaries last year — far below the 55% threshold noted in state guidance for allocating new revenue to classroom salaries. "When will you start following the law?" Cavallari asked, saying many certificated staff are working second jobs.
Parents also spoke. Erica Flores, a parent from Babcock, questioned multimillion-dollar capital spending on a Foothill High School project and said those funds should instead address teacher shortages and classroom supports. "So those $5,000,000 — why not use them on our teachers?" she asked.
Board members acknowledged the concerns. Trustee O'Kara thanked teachers and said the board values their dedication, and Trustee Baker apologized for facilities issues at the meeting and said he would ask questions about the restroom access problem raised by attendees. Trustee O'Kara said the board would monitor implementation of recently signed Assembly Bill 715 and its potential impacts.
The meeting record includes several separate claims about budget priorities and fund sources, including the $226,000,000 figure and references to waivers that reduce required classroom spending. The board did not adopt any immediate budget action at the meeting; speakers urged trustees to prioritize contract settlements and to redirect district spending toward classroom staffing. The board said it will continue to consider superintendent reports and follow-up items at future meetings.
