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Teachers and union representatives press Paramount Unified over bargaining delays, 44% reserve and safety concerns
Summary
Multiple teachers, a bargaining-team member and a TAP representative told the Paramount Unified School District board on Feb. 12 that bargaining requests have gone unanswered, that the district is holding a 44% reserve while denying modest raises, and that staff face safety hazards and poor communication.
Several teachers and union representatives used the public-comment period at the Paramount Unified School District board meeting on Feb. 12 to press trustees on stalled bargaining, what they described as an unexpectedly large district reserve and growing safety concerns for staff and students.
Heather Van, a teacher at Jackson, told trustees the district abruptly canceled an eighth‑grade trip to Paramount West Campus days after counselors announced it, depriving students who lack after‑hours access to visit the site. "It was cancelled very abruptly," she said, adding that board members appeared unaware of decisions that directly affect students.
April Lo, speaking as an individual and a member of the bargaining team, said negotiations have been “frustrating” and criticized what she called a mismatch in the district’s finances: "We have the largest district administration we've ever had, the smallest amount of PD‑enrolled students we've ever had and a historic reserve at 44%." She urged trustees to explain how those figures align with funding priorities.
Joe Lopez, a language‑arts instructor, accused the incoming administration of acting "in less than good faith," saying colleagues have felt intimidated and that district leaders have been "arrogantly unprepared" at bargaining sessions. Lopez also questioned capital and professional‑development spending while the district reportedly holds a high reserve balance.
A TAP representative told the board that delays in producing key financial documents raised alarms among negotiators and reiterated the union’s request for timely information: "The 44% reserve is utterly disheartening…we have been asking for reasonable proposals and they are being rejected," the representative said. The speaker also raised building maintenance and student‑behavior issues, noting classrooms that leak and staff who have suffered bruises and bites.
Parents and other community members also urged action. Lisette, identifying herself as a parent of a gender‑fluid second‑grader, asked the district to build on a recent statement of support for immigrant families and to explicitly affirm support for LGBTQ+ students and staff, citing mental‑health stakes.
Trustees and district staff responded during later reports with acknowledgments of school visits, promise of follow‑up and an offer to provide information through the district website and parent‑communication channels. The superintendent said staff would continue to visit campuses and that safety and communication are priorities.
The public comments came before the board took a series of votes on consent and action items, and preceded discussion of a recommended K–12 English language arts textbook adoption and a business‑services presentation on a supplemental retirement incentive. The board did not take immediate policy action on bargaining demands during the meeting; several speakers said they would pursue follow‑up through bargaining channels.
The board meeting record shows trustees received the public comments and that staff will follow up with those who provided contact information.
