• Chapter leaders, members, families, and the community educate district leaders and school board members in multiple formal and informal venues as to how community schools benefit students, educators, families, and the community.
• Formal union conversations with district leaders and school board members about benefits of community schools, opportunities for students and districts.
• If necessary, begin a subtle campaign focused on educating district leaders and the school board rather than on publicly shaming them.

—then —

• Continue to “District is interested and willing to plan collaboratively with unions and other interest-holders.”

• Chapter leaders, members, families, and the community lobby school board members. Advocate for the school board to pass a resolution in favor of community schools and an open, inclusive, and transparent planning and implementation process.
• Work with the district and other interest-holders to establish a Planning Committee that meets regularly and includes a variety of interest-holders with different perspectives. The Planning Committee is likely to be different from a permanent, ongoing Community Schools Steering Committee.
• Work with the district and other interest-holders to conduct an open and inclusive community needs assessment.
• Work with the district and other interest-holders to collaboratively write job descriptions for Community Liaisons. Fly the positions, interview
  candidates and hire for the positions.

• Chapter leaders, members, families, and the community lobby school board members. Advocate for the school board to pass a resolution in favor of community schools and an open, inclusive, and transparent planning and implementation process.
• Plan an escalating campaign to pressure the district to allow interest-holder participation. This may require levels of organizing and coordination with community allies on par with what chapters are accustomed to doing during contract negotiations over traditional subjects like salary and benefits.
  • THIS is also why building member support and community coalitions in prior steps is essential.
• Keep members and the community informed on progress (or lack of progress), even once the district agrees to work more inclusively and collaboratively. This keeps engagement up and maintains public pressure on the district.

—then —

• Continue to “District is interested and willing to plan collaboratively with unions and other interest-holders.”

Sample School Board Resolutions

1. NEA, Sample Resolution for Community Schools Model of School Improvement
2. Los Angeles USD, School Board Resolution: Embracing Community School Strategies in the Los Angeles Unified School District (June 13, 2017)
3. San Diego USD, School Board Resolution: Supporting the San Diego Community Schools Coalition (July 28, 2020)
a. San Diego USD/San Diego TA, Community Schools Implementation presentation

Bargaining Tools & Sample MOUs on Planning and Implementation

1. CTA C4OB, Community Schools Organizing and Bargaining Strategies Advisory (October 3, 2022) – Includes sample request for information and demand to bargain letters
a. sample demand to bargain letter (Sacramento City TA)
2. CTA, sample MOU language on community schools
3. UTLA, Tentative Agreement on Community Schools (January 20, 2019)
4. UTLA, Beyond Recovery proposal (May 27, 2022) – includes community school language
5. Twin Rivers UE, proposal on planning, implementation, and steering (January 11, 2022)
6. CACS, draft contract language on community schools (June 2022)
a. CACS, Contract Campaign Coordination document (May 19, 2022)
7. Anaheim Secondary TA, MOU on release time for Association Community Schools Lead, final (May 24, 2022)
8. Anaheim City Council, resolution supporting community schools (September 2022)
9. Anaheim Secondary TA, contract language on community schools (October 25, 2022)
10. Montebello TA, Tentative Agreement on Community Schools (January 12, 2023)
11. UT Richmond, Tentative Agreement on Community Schools (February 10, 2023)
12. NEA – Jurupa, MOU on Community Schools (March 8, 2023)
13. Sacramento City TA PERB Complaint vs. Sacramento City USD (March 10, 2023) – formal complaint against the district for
unilaterally imposing a community schools model and refusing to bargain the effects of that community schools model
14. Natomas TA, MOU on Community Schools (March 16, 2023)
15. San Diego EA Tentative Agreement on Community Schools (April 10 & May 25, 2023)

Sample Agendas/Minutes from Planning and Implementation Meetings

1. Anaheim UHSD/Anaheim Secondary TA, Community Schools Meeting Agenda, 8-31-22 (August 21, 2022)

Sample Needs Assessment Tools

1. Anaheim UHSD/Anaheim Secondary TA, Needs and Assets Assessment Process (March 2022)

Sample Community School Job Descriptions

1. Anaheim UHSD, Community Schools Teacher Lead Job Description (June 2022)
2. Anaheim UHSD, Community Schools Teacher Lead Interview Questions (June 2022)

News Articles

1. EdSource, “California teachers call on their districts for contractual commitment to community schools,” (January 27, 2023)
2. California Educator, “United Teachers of Richmond Wins Tentative Agreement,” (February 13, 2023)
3. EdSource, “Oakland students to return to classroom Tuesday after week-plus strike,” (May 15, 2023)
4. EdSource, “Teachers unions demand housing, transportation and other student supports during negotiations,” (May 26, 2023)
5. CA Educator magazine, “Jurupa: Collaboration is Key to Community Schools Success,” (May 2, 2023)
6. CA Educator magazine, “Community Schools Agreement in San Diego,” (June 21, 2023)