Strike day 3: Dublin superintendent says what teachers want could lead to 'huge amount' of cuts

"It has taken a huge mental load on us and most importantly on the students, they are not learning. We are here; we are not doing what we love to do. It's a sacrifice for everybody but we are doing it for our students."

"What the teachers are asking for not unreasonable. They are asking for a salary increase that is a mere percentage that does not even make up for inflation so if in fact you are not giving them this raise, they are taking a pay cut every single year."

"Our current offer is 2.1% on the salary schedule which is a huge jump for us because originally, it was an off-schedule stipend that we offered and to make single employees 100% coverage in health in the next 18 months."

"Well, we can do anything but that would result in a huge amount of more cuts, so the question is- does the community want the board to approve a financial increase that will then decimate school site report?"

Dublin Unified School District experiences its first teacher strike, now in day three. Teachers demand a 3.5% salary increase, enhanced health care coverage, reduced class sizes, and preservation of elementary school counselors. The district superintendent offered 2.1% salary increase on the schedule and 100% health coverage for single employees within 18 months, valued at $8.9 million over three years. Teachers argue the offered raise fails to offset inflation, effectively reducing their purchasing power annually. The union's counteroffer totals $32 million over three years and could necessitate 60-80 teacher layoffs. Parents support teacher demands, characterizing them as reasonable and necessary.

Read at ABC7 San Francisco