San Andreas, CA…Calaveras teachers are back on the picket lines today after talks Wednesday failed to settle a fair contract for teachers. “We thought we had a deal on Wednesday, we came in ready to settle this and not strike based on what we heard from Superintendent Mark Campbell and the school board. And it didn’t happen. This is another example of the district saying one thing, and doing something else,” said Calaveras Unified Educators’ Association (CUEA) President Lorraine Angel. “It’s disrespectful.”

Despite repeatedly assuring the community, as recently as Monday, that the district was fully prepared for a strike and that all schools would be open for students, Campbell informed parents late Wednesday night in a 10:30 p.m. robocall that all district schools would be closed the next day. “He treats parents just as disrespectfully as he does teachers,” she said. “And for many parents, it was too late to arrange child care.” Schools are closed again today.

The teachers are striking over class size, safety concerns and a modest salary increase that CUEA hopes will help attract and retain qualified teachers to Calaveras.

“We’ve done our homework. If they couldn’t afford it, we wouldn’t propose it. Bottom line, if it’s not good for students we’re not going to do it. We wish CUSD felt the same way,” Angel said.

What: Day 2 of CUEA Strike – Picketing and Community Canvassing

Where: Calaveras High School, 350 High School St., San Andreas, CA 95249

When: Today/Friday, October 20, 8:30 – 11:00 a.m.

After 11 a.m., CUEA members, supporters and parents will canvass the community to get support to end the strike by getting a fair contract for teachers.

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