The Abridged version:
- Parents in Natomas Unified and Twin Rivers Unified went to their school district offices Tuesday, expressing frustration at ongoing labor unrest. One person was arrested on trespass charges after allegedly entering the Natomas office unlawfully.
- Teacher strikes in both districts have carried on for more than a week. Natomas and Twin Rivers educators are pushing for higher compensation, including 100% employer-funded health care.
- Both districts have kept schools open amid the work stoppages. Families say they are fed up by district officials’ decisions and worry their kids are not receiving proper supervision or education.
As two teacher strikes in Sacramento County continue, parents say their frustration with district officials is hitting a boiling point.
“I want them to get back to school,” Stephani McDaniel said of her two children.
McDaniel was among the dozens of parents gathered outside Twin Rivers Unified offices in McClellan Park Tuesday. Chants of “We are the parents” and noisemakers filled the courtyard space.
A few miles away, a separate smattering of families gathered at the Natomas Unified district office. Only one parent and her 8-year-old son were able to enter the building before security officers blocked the front entrance, according to multiple people there.
One person was later removed by police for allegedly entering the building unlawfully, said Deidra Powell, spokesperson for Natomas Unified. The Sacramento Police Department confirmed the protester was arrested on trespass charges after refusing to leave.
“This individual is not authorized to be on-site, and their actions are concerning,” the district said, in a statement. “All visitors are expected to follow established security protocols, including checking in appropriately and respecting facility guidelines.”
Strikes hit record numbers, negotiations drag
“We got fed up,” said Joanna Davis, a parent of two Natomas students and member of the crowd outside the building. “We’re here to support our teachers that teach our kids.”
Twin Rivers Unified now holds the record in Sacramento County for the longest teacher strike, surpassing Sacramento City’s 8-day stint in 2022.
Bargaining teams in the North Sacramento district are set to reconvene Tuesday afternoon. Assemblymember Maggy Krell, D-Sacramento, has urged both sides back to the table and was present for meetings last week.
In Natomas, there are no new meetings scheduled.
Union and district representatives gathered Sunday for a 14-hour bargaining session that failed to produce a resolution.
Parents grow weary, frustrated with district
Tricia Hedahl’s three children have not attended class since the strike began in Twin Rivers March 3. All are students of Creative Connections Arts Academy, a charter school.
Hedahl said despite district messages urging students to continue attending school, she did not feel comfortable dropping her kids off without their teachers present. Instead, the family has joined teachers on the picket lines and addressed school board members at public meetings.
Tuesday, she and other parents — frustrated with the district — made the plan to gather outside the district office.
“As a parent,” Hedahl said, “I’m not going to be in the middle of negotiations, and I don’t think that that’s my role.”
“But I do want them to know that we expect you every single day to be at the negotiating table,” she continued. “As superintendent, there can be nothing more important in your job than to be speaking with teachers and speaking with your team, making preparations to speak with teachers.”
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.