The Tentative Agreement ‘big win’ – ‘big loss’

Oakland-Teacher-Strike-begins-rally-Frank-Ogawa-Plaza-Keep-Teachers-in-Oakland-022119-by-AP, The Tentative Agreement ‘big win’ – ‘big loss’, Local News & Views
The Oakland teachers’ strike that made national headlines has been long and strong. It began with this rally in Frank Ogawa Plaza in front of City Hall on Feb. 21, and it may not be over yet. – Photo: AP

by the undersigned 170 OUSD teachers

This open letter was drafted by teachers at Oakland Technical High School, then sent out for teachers all over OUSD to sign.

Dear Oakland Community,

A Tentative Agreement (TA) has been reached between the bargaining teams of OUSD and our teachers’ union. Although media outlets, OUSD and OEA are presenting this tentative agreement as a major “win” for teachers, this narrative ignores several issues central to our strike and the long-term health of our school community.

This strike is not simply about a salary increase – we are fighting for schools that our students deserve. The TA fails to adequately address the threat of school closures and the impossible demands placed on counselors and nurses.

The TA fails to adequately address the threat of school closures and the impossible demands placed on counselors and nurses.

In fact, nurse caseloads will increase under this proposed agreement. Also, the TA includes nothing concrete to address school closures, allowing the School Board to push through its plans to close 24 more schools and opening the door for the continued privatization of Oakland education.

Many suspect that the publicized 11 percent raise (over four years) is meant to distract us from the lack of progress on other essential issues. We refuse to be used as a divisive wedge within the district to defund student programs that increase equity and serve our highest-need students – such as Restorative Justice, APISA, AAMA and foster care youth programs, among others.

We refuse to be used as a divisive wedge within the district to defund student programs that increase equity and serve our highest-need students – such as Restorative Justice, APISA, AAMA and foster care youth programs, among others.

We do not want to be bought off at the expense of everyone else.

Regarding proposed salary changes, many educators feel the TA’s slow, incremental pay increase will not help us address the immediate teacher shortage crisis we face right now. Offering us a prolonged pay increase is deceptive, because prolonging the timing decreases the value of the raise compared to inflation. The teacher retention crisis will not end with this TA.

Offering us a prolonged pay increase is deceptive, because prolonging the timing decreases the value of the raise compared to inflation. The teacher retention crisis will not end with this TA.

They say educators are the heart of Oakland, but students are the soul. This strike is a battle for the soul of Oakland. That’s why many OEA members are considering a NO vote.

El Acuerdo tentativo ‘gran victoria’ – ‘gran pérdida’

Estimada comunidad de Oakland,

Se ha alcanzado un acuerdo provisional (AT) entre los equipos de negociación de OUSD y el sindicato de maestros (OEA). Si bien los medios de comunicación, OUSD y OEA presentan este acuerdo tentativo como un “logro” importante para los maestros, esta narrativa ignora varios temas centrales para nuestra huelga y la salud a largo plazo de nuestra comunidad escolar.

Esta huelga no se trata simplemente de un aumento de sueldo, estamos luchando para las escuelas que nuestros estudiantes merecen. El AT no aborda adecuadamente la amenaza de cierres escolares y las demandas imposibles de los asesores y enfermeras. De hecho, la cantidad de casos de enfermería aumentará en virtud de este acuerdo propuesto. Además, la asistencia técnica incluye nada concreto para abordar el cierre de escuelas, lo que permite a la junta escolar llevar a cabo sus planes para cerrar otras 24 escuelas y abrir las puertas para que la privatización de la educación en Oakland continue.

Muchos sospechan que el aumento publicitado del 11% (a través de 4 años) está destinado a distraernos de la falta de progreso en otras cuestiones esenciales. Nos negamos a ser utilizados como una cuña divisoria dentro del distrito para desembolsar programas estudiantiles que aumentan la equidad y sirven a nuestros estudiantes con mayores necesidades (tales como Justicia Restaurativa, APISA y AAMA, y programas para jóvenes en hogares de guarda, entre otros). No queremos ser comprados a expensas de todos los demás.

Con respecto a los cambios de salario propuestos, muchos educadores consideran que el aumento lento y gradual y no nos ayudará a abordar la crisis inmediata de escasez de maestros que enfrentamos en este momento. Ofrecernos un aumento de salario prolongado es engañoso, porque prolongar el tiempo disminuye el valor del aumento en comparación con la inflación. La crisis de retención de maestros no terminará con esta AT.

Dicen que los educadores son el corazón de Oakland, pero los estudiantes son el alma. Esta huelga es una batalla para el alma de Oakland. Es por eso que muchos miembros de la OEA están considerando un voto de NO.

En comunidad,

In Community,

Janis Falco, Newcomer Program/RISE Academy, Oakland High ELD

Seth Zimmerman, Math & Debate, Oakland Technical High School

Sarah Trauben, Government and English, Oakland Technical High School

Karina Orle, Science, Oakland Technical High School

Errico Bachicha, Math, Oakland Technical High School

Kevin Ji, Math, Oakland Technical High School

Nicholas Rey, Teacher on Special Assignment, Oakland Technical High School

Sara Ketcham, Computer Academy Pathway Lead and English, Oakland Technical High School

Deborah Green, Visual Art Teacher, Oakland Technical High School

Brenda Rivera, Cal Studies and 9th Grade Board, Oakland Technical High School

Heath Madom, Race Policy and Law Pathway Lead and English, Oakland Technical High School

Beverly Berning, French, Oakland Technical High School

Moss Hahn, Special Education, Oakland Technical High School

Joel Wing, Social Studies, Oakland Technical High School

Coriander Melious, Education Specialist Mild/Moderate, Oakland Technical HS

Diane Johnson, Project Lead the Way Engineering Academy Director, Oakland High

Clifford Daigle, Science, Oakland Technical HS

Lauchlin Cruickshanks, Science, Oakland Technical HS

Peter Heckel, Animation, Oakland Technical HS

Deborah Morris, Special Education, Oakland Technical HS

Elizabeth Haugen, 11th Grade Paideia Teacher and Social Studies Chair, Oakland Technical High School

Sherry Kassenbrock, OUSD School Nurse

Natalie Mann, Math Department Chair, Oakland Technical High School

Rumeli Snyder, Credentialed School Social Worker for newcomer students, Oakland High School

Rumi Koshino, Art Department Chair, Oakland High School

Franco DeMarinis, Science Chair, Oakland Technical High School

Alex Webster Guiney, Special Education Specialist, Oakland High School

Lara Trale, English, Oakland High School

Pejing Lee, Science, Oakland Technical High School

Justin Hobaugh, Math, Oakland High School

Sara Richard- STIP Claremont Middle

Sam Youts, Science Claremont Middle Rachel Friedman, TSA (Instructional Coach), Claremont Middle

Erica Saephan, School Counselor, Montera Middle School

Aly Kronick, Academic Literacy, Oakland International High School

Anastacia Love, Engineering Academy Co-Director, Oakland Technical High School

Chris Rankin, English, Claremont Middle School

Ian Kaferle, History, Claremont Middle School

Sylvia Hahn, Special Education, Claremont Middle School

Alicia Jimenez, Special Education, Claremont Middle School

Donna Salonga, Ceramics, Skyline High School

Martha Elias, World Language, Skyline High School

Alicia Arnold, Visual Art & Design, Oakland Technical High School

Kehinde Salter, Performing Arts, Fremont High School

Matt Fields, Science, Oakland High

Taiwo Kujichagulia-Seitu, Performing Arts, Madison Park Academy

Carmen Mandić, Special Education, Oakland High School

Michael Holmes, ELA, Fremont High School

Roxanne Clement, CTE teacher, OHS

Sierra Flynn, science, Oakland Technical High School

Heather Merovich, Social Studies, Skyline High School

Ayo Akatugba, Physics, Skyline High School

Sophia Chaparro, ELD, Fremont High School

Susan Deniz Thacher, Math Teacher, Math Department Lead, Claremont Middle School

Jhunehl Fortaleza, History Teacher, Claremont Middle School

Jill Mammano-Neely, Blended Inclusion Teacher, Claremont Middle School

Gina Lozito, English Teach, Claremont Middle School

Dan Leal, Computer Science, Claremont Middle School

Max Washburn, Computer Science Teacher, Claremont Middle School

Ariel Thomas, History Teacher, Claremont Middle School

Rushelle Carriere, English Teacher, Claremont Middle School

Katie Bailey, English & US Government, Oakland Technical High School

Aaron Shewmaker, Special Education, Oakland Tech HS

Erin Posbergh, Physics, Oakland International High School

Jeremy Sutton, English Department Chair, Oakland Technical High School

Catalina del Canto, Ethnic Studies, Skyline High School

Ena Dallas, Performing Arts, Oakland Technical High School

Nicholas Sargent, Special Education, Oakland High School

Ariel Brown, Music Teacher, Claremont Middle School

Pj Johnson, Physical Education, Claremont Middle

Braden Gough, Science, Madison Park Academy

Kate Krumrei, Newcomer ELD, Urban Promise Academy

Crystal Barr, Art, Urban Promise Academy

Joseph Nejad-Duong, History, Fremont High School

Theresa Langston, School Counselor, Oakland Technical High School

James Treacy, Visual Art, Skyline High School

Johanna Langill, Oakland Technical High School

Kelly Hamel, Spanish, Oakland Technical High School

Elizabeth Hurt, OUSD School Nurse, Currently “assigned” to Joaquin Miller and Montera with a 2 day/week “Special Additional Assignment” of SpEd assessments

Amy Martinez, School Counselor, Oakland Technical High School

Jessica Fagen, English and Social Studies, Oakland Technical High School

Clarence Harris, Oakland Tech, Mathematics

Nathaniel Toutjian, Newcomer Art Teacher, Castlemont High School

Kristen Vetterlein, Grass Valley Elementary, Art Prep

Ronan Gillespie, Newcomer Assistant/Substitute Teacher, Oakland International High School

Mika Zelie, Mathematics, Claremont Middle School

Rosemary Marr, Visual Art/TSA School Culture, Castlemont High School

Richelle Parra, Mathematics, Skyline High School

Pilar Mendez-Cruz, Madison Park Academy, 7th grade ELA teacher

Lizzie Salzfass, TSA – Instructional Coach, Claremont Middle School

Mary Brune, Graphic Design Teacher, Madison Park Academy

Janet Vasquez, 6th Grade Math Teacher, Life Academy

Alyssa Sayavedra, Mathematics, Madison Park Academy.

Llaima Castro, SDC Teacher Grass Valley Elementary

Terri Van Hare, Science Teacher, Skyline High School

Anderson de Andrade, 5th Grade, International Community School

Nicholas Morrow, Math, MPA

Jacqueline Arnoldy, World Language Chair, Oakland Technical High School

Patricia Brandt, PE, Oakland Technical High School

Carlos Bover, PE, Oakland Technical High School

Jah-Yee Woo, English and U.S. History teacher, Oakland Technical High School

Stephen Clarke, Social Studies, Oakland Technical High School

Timothy Douglas, Dual Immersion Kindergarten, International Community School

Megan Robinson, Education Specialist, Skyline High School

Revaz Ardesher, History teacher, Hillcrest School

Marvin Boomer, Math Teacher, Castlemont High School

Lillian Jacobson, CTE Teacher, Castlemont High School

Felicidad Guirao, World Language Dept. Spanish , Oakland Technical High School

Corey Wallace, 3rd grade teacher, Manzanita Community School

Danielle Schaefer, OUSD School Nurse

David Smith, Mathematics, Oakland Technical High School

Kylie Dalton, Special Ed, Oakland High School

Vanessa Guerrero, Art, Oakland High School

Lawrence Mylander, 7th grade Social Studies, Madison Park Academy

Erika Hernandez, SDC Special Ed, Oakland International High School

Steve Wright, Computer Science, Oakland Technical High School

Randolph Li, Engineering, Oakland Technical High School

Noelle Bridge, Speech-Language Pathologist, Life and United for Success

Melissa Frost, New Highland Academy

Sara Green, Social Worker, Rudsdale Newcomer High School

Einam Livnat, substitute teacher

Thomas Wooding, Computer Science , Oakland High

Urina Kim, Chemistry, Skyline

Louie Alvidrez, Computer Science, Skyline

Sandra Ratto, Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, Skyline

Maki Kasai, Biology, Skyline High School

Kathryn Ruggiero, World Languages, Oakland Technical High School

Douglas Stubblefield, English and World History teacher, Oakland Technical High School

Kimberly Aguilar, 1st grade Spanish Bilingual Teacher, New Highland Academy

Cristopher Bautista, English/History, Oakland Technical High School

Alyssa Berkins, English, Oakland High School

Susannah Schoff, ELD, Oakland High School

Nicole Green, ELA, Madison Park Academy

Manny Medina, Math, Oakland International HS

Sarah Nielsen Boyd, School nurse, Oakland Tech.

Lucinda Hymer, Biology, Skyline High School

Harry Pasternak, Government, Oakland Technical High School

Eden Balde, School Nurse, ECE

Nicholas Beasley, Construction Tech, Skyline High School

Cassandra Chen, Math Science, United for Success Academy

Zubin Hu, Math, Oakland Technical High School

Paul Antony-Levine, Science, United for Success Academy Middle School

Alexandra Zablotsky, Music, United for Success Academy Middle School

Heather Stephens, RSP, United for Success Academy Middle School

Linda Jones Bell OUSD School Nurse

Lacy Lefkowitz-TSA, Claremont Middle School

Mike Jones, English, Oakland High School

Shira Bannerman, RSP Teacher, Urban Promise Academy

Adrian Romer0, Math and Science, Urban Promise Academy

Judy Greenspan, Math and Science, United for Success

Miles Murray, English and Creative Writing, Oakland High School

Dennis Javelo, Math, Oakland Technical High School

Tracy Dordell, 3rd grade, New Highland Academy

Craig Dittmann, Physics, Madison Park

Mary K. Scott (Kate Krumrei), Newcomer ELD, Urban Promise Academy

Charlotte Downing, REACH Academy

Jordan Blumberg-Long, History, Skyline High School

Megan Bumpus, Science Prep, REACH Academy

Ashley Wallace, United for Success Academy

Clayton Evans, Engineering Teacher and Pathway Director, McClymonds High School

Ida Barnett, Math Teacher, Sojourner Truth Independent Study

Juli Bryant, English Teacher, Sojourner Truth Independent Study

Darryl King, Inclusion Teacher, Skyline High School

Liz Boner, English Teacher, Rudsdale Newcomer High School

Brian Katz, English Teacher, United for Success Academy

Morgan Ebbert, Mathematics, Madison Park Academy

Erika Guerrero, bilingual teacher, New Highland Academy

John Lennon Harrison, Reading Lightsail teacher, Alliance Academy

Michael Shane , Sojourner Truth Ind. Studies

Cory Jong, Humanities, Urban Promise Academy

Michael Nishida, STIP Substitute, United for Success Academy

Add your name and title by contacting teacher Taiwo Kujichagulia-Seitu at taiwoseitu@gmail.com, and it will be added to this document.