“We see you, Selma, and we stand in solidarity with Selma Unified Teachers Association!” was the message of over 150 educators, including area local CTA leaders, and community members who jammed into the Selma Unified School (SUSD) Board meeting March 28 to support Selma teachers in their fight for a fair contract that meets student and educator needs.  Selma Unified Teachers Association (SUTA) are at impasse with SUSD over a competitive pay scale, class size and student safety.

At one point, the crowd reaction became so loud and raucous that Selma police arrived in the parking lot. They did not enter the board meeting and were not required to intervene. Supporters had been demanding respect for local educators and for public input about changes to the Foggy Day schedule that has been in place for decades. SUTA filed a grievance last year after district managers unilaterally changed the Foggy Day Schedule. The topic is still an issue in negotiations.

So many supporters came out, undeterred by the heavy rain, that SUSD managers limited public comment to 2 minutes instead of the typical 3, and literally shut off the microphone when time was up. Many speakers were not allowed to complete their remarks. Supporters voiced outrage at the behavior of SUSD administrators and school board members and voiced admiration and support for SUTA.

Allen Blanchard from Hanford Secondary Educators Association speaks in support of Selma educators. Behind him: Eva Ruiz, Judee Gonzales Martinez, Janelle Mitchell, Chris Hudson, Kim Cooper, Janie Chiasson and Laura Bolton.

CTA local leaders attended the meeting, voicing solidary and support for SUTA’s fight for a fair contract.

• CTA Board Member Eva Ruiz shared about the unprecedented funding available and said now is the time for Selma USD to prioritize safety, small class sizes, and a competitive salary that will keep Selma teachers in Selma.
• Raisin City Teachers Association member Kim Cooper spoke about the devastating death of a student on a foggy day this school year. Cooper warned CUSD managers that their insufficient planning regarding Foggy Day schedule changes directly and negatively impact student and staff safety.
• Hanford Secondary Educators Association Allen Blanchard President gave the school board a lesson about responsibility, chastising a Selma board member who claimed that until test scores are higher, pay for classroom teachers should not be raised.
• Sanger Unified Teachers Association First Vice President Janelle Mitchell shared the importance of teacher retention and challenged the Orwellian “double-think” SUSD managers use to rationalize not raising teacher salaries.
• Central Unified Teachers Association President Judee Martinez urged school board members to speak to the people in the trenches, in the classrooms everyday with their students, and noted the necessity of having teachers at every table where decisions are being made.
• Central Unified Teachers Association Bargaining Team Leader Laura Bolton challenged school board member’s comment that that administrators make more money because they work longer hours.
• Fresno County Schools Office Educators Association Chris Hudson President addressed the need for the district to accept SUTA’s proposal for smaller class-sizes in primary classrooms and Special Education classrooms.

“We must protect our students by keeping our current teachers here and creating a competitive salary to recruit and retain high-quality educators. Our students deserve the best. We must invest in Selma’s educators. SUSD can afford our proposals. It is really a question of priorities and accurate information,” SUTA President Roxanne Garrigus-Case said.