Teachers and classified staff press Natomas Unified for higher pay as contract talks continue

Trustees heard multiple public appeals calling for higher pay and better working conditions for teachers and classified staff as contract talks with the Natomas Teachers Association remain unresolved.

At the meeting, a Natomas Teachers Association representative told trustees that "teachers, psychologists, speech pathologists, nurses, counselors, and social workers are still working on an expired contract" and said more than 90% of union members have signed a strike-readiness petition. The representative pressed the board to "reprioritize the budget toward classrooms and not central office," arguing savings in the reserve could be used to hire classroom staff.

Parents and staff framed the issue as a student-safety and retention concern. Ashley Battle, a parent and spouse of a district teacher, said, "The fact that we are even here fighting for fair pay and basic benefits is unacceptable," and described vacancies, stretched special-education services, and staff reliance on food pantries. Maxine Sarmiento, a teacher at Larry G. Meeks Virtual Academy, said many colleagues "are relying on the free food pantry just to feed their families" and called for a living wage and a mild/moderate special-education program in the district.

Jim Melrose, a classified employee and negotiator with Sacramento County Office of Education, cited a public salary record and told the board that the district superintendent's 2023 pay-plus-benefits figure was reported as about $464,817, contrasting that with the financial pressures on classroom staff. Multiple speakers urged the board to use budget levers to protect classrooms and staffing.

The board did not take new action on contract terms at the meeting; several trustees acknowledged the concerns during their reports and thanked staff and volunteers who support students. The union and community said they will continue to press for negotiation progress.