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Teachers press Oakrove board for higher pay and restored health coverage during packed public comment
Summary
Dozens of Oakrove teachers and parents told the board April 10 the district must prioritize teacher compensation and benefits amid stalled negotiations, citing comparative salary rankings, rising out‑of‑pocket health costs and budget figures they say leave room for raises.
Dozens of teachers and parents urged the Oakrove School District Board of Trustees on April 10 to make teacher pay and fully paid health coverage a top budget priority as contract negotiations continue.
The comments came during the public‑comment portion of the board's regular meeting, where speakers presented charts and personal testimony that, they said, show certificated compensation as a share of district spending has dropped in recent years and that out‑of‑pocket healthcare costs now erode negotiated raises. "Oak Grove total compensation as a percentage of outgoing money is dead last in this county," said Bob Prola, who addressed the board with printed graphs and called for making "Oak Grove educators a priority" in negotiations.
Why it matters: Teachers and bargaining‑unit leaders said low pay and rising benefits costs are driving vacancies, threatening retention and undermining classroom stability. Multiple speakers asked the board to return to the bargaining table with a stronger offer and to protect benefits that once made the district competitive.
Several classroom teachers described firsthand hardship. "It is impossible to avoid housing and other basic necessities on our current salaries," said Hannah Carter, who identified herself as a four‑year teacher in the district. "Our district is ranked 31 out of 33 for starting salaries," she added, urging trustees to invest in pay to retain experienced educators.
Other educators gave specific budget figures and trends during their remarks. "We started this year with about $32 million in Fund 40 and rolled over $45 million in the general fund — about $77 million in cash on hand," said Prola, noting that the district should have resources to meet bargaining requests. Several speakers said certificated salaries and benefits have fallen from roughly 35% of total district spending to about 29% in recent years; the board did not dispute the exact percentages during public comment.
Union leaders reiterated that message. A representative from the Oak Grove Association said certificated compensation has declined since 2019 while administrative compensation has remained steady, and called on the district to return a counterproposal. "We can get a raise and better benefits," the union representative said, asking the board to "prove teachers are a priority." CSCA chapter leaders and a newly formed classified union president also voiced solidarity with certificated staff.
Board response and next steps: Trustees did not take immediate action during public comment. Superintendent Dr. Chitus and district staff acknowledged the remarks and noted ongoing negotiations; board members requested follow‑up briefings and indicated they would convey concerns to the negotiating team. Several trustees also asked staff to provide additional budget detail and to continue outreach to site leaders and parent communities.
The board has not announced a date for a public update on bargaining or a revised proposal. The district's budget documents, staffing projections and the bargaining teams' next steps will determine whether the district can meet the pay and benefits requests made during the meeting.
Ending: Speakers left the meeting urging the board to act. "When we are supported, we can give our best to the students we serve," said Mariana Garcia Serato, an Oakrove teacher of 17 years. The board moved on to other agenda items but has scheduled further fiscal and planning discussions in coming weeks.
