The Abridged version:
- Educators across Natomas Unified School District are not in the classroom Tuesday, as they begin day one of the district’s first-ever teacher strike.
- Sticking points between the district and union include salary raises, health care coverage and class sizes.
As first bells rang across Natomas Unified School District Tuesday morning, thousands of students reported to class without a teacher.
Educators in the North Sacramento school district began day one of their strike. Over a year of negotiations has failed to bring district officials and union representatives to a deal. Sticking points in the 16,000-student district include salary raises, health care coverage and class sizes.
“We know that school drop-off likely looked different this morning for many of our families,” district officials said in a message to families. “We regret that it has come to this point and understand that today may feel unsettling for students and the community.”
Natomas is the second district to go on strike in the area in less than a week. Twin Rivers Unified hit day four of its teacher strike Tuesday morning, though there is some optimism with another bargaining meeting set for later in the day.
Teacher vacancies frustrate staff, parents
A group of about fifty picketers chanted outside Natomas High School Tuesday morning, over the chorus of noise makers and car honks.
“What do we want? Fully staffed schools! When do we want it? Now!”
Natomas teachers said there is a recruitment and retention crisis in the district, driven by lower compensation compared to neighboring districts.
The average pay for teachers in Natomas in 2024-25 was $90,931, according to data from the California Department of Education. The average salary statewide was $103,552.
Roberto Camacho said he is moving his second-grade son, who is autistic and faces repeated bullying, out of Bannon Creek Elementary in Natomas.
“There’s not enough people to watch over this whole campus,” Camacho said.
“The money needs to go back to these kids,” he added.
Negotiations hit a wall
Among teachers’ demands are salary increases they say are long overdue, along with 100% district-funded health care coverage. More competitive pay and smaller class sizes would help with retention, educators say.
The district has offered a 4% raise over two years and fully paid health benefits. But the union is calling for 4.5% raise this school year and 4% the next. And leaders said the health benefits offer “is a start” but they want to see the district pay for the more expensive Kaiser plan that more members use.
Local elected officials said they were disappointed by the stalled bargaining, in a letter to the district superintendent and school board president.
“As those who represent the community served by Natomas Unified, we strongly support the best education possible for families in our community,” wrote Assemblymember Maggy Krell, former state Sen. Richard Pan and Sacramento County Office of Education Trustee Mariana Corona Sabeniano wrote. Pan and Krell are Sacramento Democrats.
Savannah Kuchar is a reporter covering education. She came to Sacramento to be a part of the Abridged team and contribute to a crucial local news source.