Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1487796
Every week, Fresno Teachers Association celebrates Edu- cator Champions who inspire students and colleagues with their hard work and dedication. In November, FTA chose to showcase its Bargaining Team, which recently submitted FTA proposals to Fresno Unified School District. " This team responded to our call to action to reimag- ine education," FTA wrote on social media, with an accompanying photo. " Together, they 've spent months truly listening to their colleagues, identif ying overarching and specific concerns, and developing solutions that improve student learning conditions, employee working conditions, and ultimately provide the best education we can for our students." Champions, indeed! FRESNO: And the Educator Champions of the Week Are … SANTA CLARA COUNT Y: Contract win nets prep time, resources to attract and retain educators The Association of County Educators (ACE) was victorious in its recent bargain, winning prep time for all members and a 10 percent pay raise for 2022-2023 and 5 percent or more guaranteed for 2023-24. This will help attract and retain dedi- cated educators. ACE also got the first column of all 13 salary schedules deleted, which combined with the negotiated raises increases the starting salary by an average of $10,000. Representing 360 educators who work for Santa Clara County Office of Education, ACE ratified the three-year deal, which includes a reopener on salary for the third year. ACE won a larger district contribution to their health care benefits for each year of the contract, as well as contractually guaran- teed stipends for a wide array of items, from working double duty and moving classrooms to being a bilingual Head Start educator and covering another school nurse's caseload. The lengthy list includes $1,000 per year in tuition reimbursement for all ACE members. ACE also won contract language improvements in the work hours and leaves articles, as well as an agreement to resume talks about workload issues in January 2024. ACE Vice President and Bargaining Chair Annie Kretowicz said the deal is huge for educators. " The ACE negotiations team was at the table for 11 months and the outcome was unprecedented," she said. "We are very proud of their efforts to secure a contract that all members will benefit from." Continued from Page 39 LeDoux continued. "Our district has unprecedented funding and ample resources to bring educators to Twin Rivers and retain them for years to come. We also have an unprecedented opportunity to establish Community Schools in our district with shared gov- ernance to ensure their success for our students. The time is now." Follow TRUE on Facebook at @TRUEAssocia- tion to stay current on their struggle and to show support for Twin Rivers educators. #WeAreTRUE #TRUETimeIsNow TRUE leadership from left: Bargaining team member Diana Franklin; President Rebecca LeDoux; Vice President and lead negotiator Jackie Howard. 40 cta.org Advocacy