Glendale educators ask board to reverse facility‑use charges, seek clear plan for staff pay

Amber Johnson, speaking for the Glendale Education Association, told the Glendale Elementary School District Governing Board that the district removed the union's classification as a ‘tier 1’ organization for facility use in August and has since charged employees for site visits and member meetings. "We think it's highly questionable to charge your own employees to meet after school in their own classrooms," Johnson said, asking whether other organizations face the same scrutiny.

Johnson said GEA members have repeatedly been denied involvement in district events such as the welcome‑back ceremony and the resource fair, and that legal counsel reviewed GEA's website and deemed its objectives insufficiently aligned with the district—while dozens of outside organizations were invited. "Is that the kind of relationship the district wants to establish with its employees?" she asked.

Robert Gale, also speaking for GEA, urged the board to provide staff with a clear, comprehensive compensation plan before the district's contract season. Gale said the board previously voted in January 2023 on a plan to increase wages based on a market study, but staff have seen no change since then. "With spiraling costs and flat wages and no plan released for next year, many staff are beginning to wonder what are they going to do when contract time comes?" Gale said, warning that low salaries lead to turnover and disrupt student learning.

Board members did not take action on the spot, citing Open Meeting Law limits on discussing non‑agendized items; a board member asked staff to request a future agenda item to provide information about organization classifications, fee schedules, and GEA involvement in district events.

The comments and requests came during the public‑comment portion of the Dec. 11 meeting. The district did not announce an immediate policy change at the meeting.