South Bay Teachers

South Bay Teachers Contract Dispute Escalates

KRIS SANCHEZ 11/26/2012 2:14 PM


In the South Bay, shoppers near Eastridge Mall will see a stream of protesters making their way to the Evergreen School District headquarters on Quimby Road on Monday afternoon.

School district leaders declared an impasse in negotiations with the Evergreen Teachers Union. And union leaders accuse the district of declaring an impasse too soon in contract negotiations.

In a statement, Evergreen Teachers Association president Brian Wheatley said, “We believe in working together with district officials to solve real economic problems based on actual numbers rather than hypothetical issues in the future predicated on dire budget projections.”


Already, the contract dispute is affecting students. Many teachers have stopped coaching sports and sponsoring after school programs because of the stall in negotiations.


In an email to NBC Bay Area, one administrator responded: “Should current coaches opt out of coaching, we are beginning to look at other options and remain hopeful we will be able to continue to provide an after school sports program.”


Many of those teachers are now considering whether to walk out of the classroom.