San Ysidro Elementary School District teachers will strike Wednesday after last-minute negotiations between the district and teachers union failed Tuesday night, a teacher confirmed to NBC 7.
The meeting ended shortly after 7 p.m. after the two sides could not come to an agreement.
“Unfortunately, we are running out of time, and we can't walk out of that room without something signed,” said Judith Crespo, a teacher at Smythe Elementary. “Then there will be a strike tomorrow in San Ysidro, and it’s a tragic day.”
All the district's schools will be open like normal through the strike, according to a statement from Interim Superintendent George Cameron.
"The District had anticipated the possibility of a strike and has hired fully qualified and experienced substitute teachers to teach a quality curriculum to our students," read Cameron's release.
He says pre-school and after-school programs should operate as usual, as should school bus services. The district has added security to make sure people stay safe on campus, Cameron pointed out.
Teachers rallied outside every school in the district Tuesday morning, handing out neon-colored fliers to parents and holding signs that read, “I don’t’ want to strike, but I will.”
Negotiations began at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
San Ysidro teachers say they’re facing a 6.5 percent pay cut and some of the worst health benefits in the county. They're also calling for smaller class sizes and more manageable workloads.
However, district officials say they're dealing with a financial crisis. Interim Superintendent George Cameron, Ed. D., says the district is in negative certification, meaning its finances so bad that the San Diego County Office of Education has to oversee its spending
“Any settlement we reach with the teachers is going to have to take that into account,” Cameron said.
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The union’s decision to strike Tuesday comes after months of talks and what teachers call “disrespect” from the district. The teachers accuse of the district of lying about its budget and even bullying them. The district argues it respects and supports its teachers, but needs to face financial reality.
According to Transparent California, the median teacher in the San Ysidro Elementary School District received $80,259.86 in total pay and benefits in 2013.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
