IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. — Fighting for their students' education: South Bay teachers and parents took a passionate stand Thursday night.
Hundreds of parents and teachers with the South Bay Union School District showed up at a packed board meeting to protest recent moves by the district, from the possibility of consolidating schools to bargaining with teachers over pay raises.
With standing room only, educators and parents made their message to the South Bay Union School Board clear.
"We are here united, ready to fight for what is best for our students and our staff!"" said Vanessa Barrera, president of the Southwest Teachers Association.
They came armed with a number of demands, including lower class sizes - particularly for special education classes.
Also, with their contract expiring next year, they are asking for a pay increase comparable to the four percent annual pay raises that some the district's upper management has already secured.
At the moment, they are being offered one percent, but are also facing increasing health insurance premium costs starting next month.
"So that one percent is not even going to cover anything," said sixth-grade teacher Melissa Romo. "So it really is not getting a raise. Every teacher in this district who has to pay for benefits is going to end up making less money."
Teacher union leaders said that the district currently has more than $42 million in reserves.
"It is unethical and irresponsible for any district to horde money ear-marked for students," added Barrera. "That money is meant to be spent in the classroom!!"
Following this fiery speech given by the head o f the Southwest Teachers Association, he district's superintendent urged the community to stay engaged in the process to better understand the direction the district is taking.
"I want to encourage you not to only come tonight, but to come to every school board meeting, where we talk about budget, we talk about what our district is able to do," said Superintendent Jose Espinoza.
Also a major concern among parents, teachers and students here: a preliminary plan that's been floated to close down between one to three schools district-wide to address declining enrollment.
"We believe that every student deserves to have a school ion their community," Barrera said, "and with that plan that is definitely not going to happen."
Lisbeth Becerra's daughter is a first-grader at Nestor Language Academy Charter School
"It has been really stressful, she told CBS 8, "not to know if they are going to move her or not, when is it going to happen. My child, she is really concerned about it too."
The district said that at this point, there is no timetable established as to when these schools may possibly be consolidated.