Parents, teachers and unions press Rialto Unified board for bigger pay increases amid stalled talks

Dozens of parents, teachers and union representatives used the public-comment period at the Rialto Unified School District board meeting on March 11 to press trustees for bigger pay increases and faster progress in contract talks.

"My son depends on it," said a parent who described the impact of teacher turnover on students receiving special-education services. Several teachers and parents asked the board to approve a 5% raise that they said would keep educators and support staff from leaving. "We're not asking for luxuries — we need a salary that keeps up with the cost of living," said a teacher who identified herself as Daisy Norman.

Union representatives framed the salary request as an affordability and retention issue. "Our contract has been expired for almost a year," said Noah Snyder, who identified himself as a representative for Classified Employees (chapter 203). He told trustees the district's proposed 3.7% increase "is not enough" and said his chapter had reviewed district financial forms showing more room to negotiate.

Speaking for noncertificated staff, Cristina Acosta, president of CSSA (the district's noncertificated employees union), urged trustees to compare the budget numbers and consider a 3.75% raise the union says is supported by the current budget. At the microphone she walked the board through district figures, saying the bargaining units's budget lines rose from about $62,000,000 to $66,000,000 year-to-year and arguing that the district could cover a roughly 3.75% raise without causing a deficit.

Trustees listened and asked clarifying questions later in the meeting, but did not adopt a new raise at the March 11 session. Superintendent Alejandro lvarez acknowledged the comments and said staff would continue negotiations; he did not announce a change to the district's current proposal.

Why this matters: Teachers and classified staff said turnover is disrupting instruction and special-education services. Parents and union leaders said that inconsistent staffing and reliance on outside agencies for aides are harming students and costing the district money. Trustees approved the meeting's consent items, but the broader bargaining impasse remains unresolved.

What was said

- "The 3.7% the district proposed is below what the budget allows," said one union representative, referencing financial forms presented earlier in the hearing. - "A 5% increase is not a wish, it's a necessity," said a longtime teacher who said she has worked in the district for 26 years.

Next steps: Negotiations are ongoing. Speakers asked the board to prioritize a larger settlement and to consider the impact of turnover on special-education students and classroom instruction; the board did not take a final vote on compensation on March 11.

Attribution: Quotes and attributions in this article come from speakers who identified themselves during the public-comment period (Noah Snyder, Cristina Acosta, Daisy Norman and others).