Fillmore Unified Teachers Association October 1, 2019

1930 Outlet Center Drive

Oxnard, CA 93036

Contact: FUTA President Tammy Ferguson (805) 279-1214

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fillmore Teachers, Community to Picket Board Meeting Tonight Over Inadequate Contract Offers

Teacher Recruitment and Retention Remain Issues as Educators Urge District to Put Students and Educators First

Fillmore—Members of the Fillmore Unified Teachers Association along with parents and the community are planning to picket at the FUSD School Board Meeting this evening, Tuesday, October 1st.

Speeches at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. will urge the school board to finally listen and give teachers a fair and equitable salary increase. The mediocre raise the District has proposed doesn’t even cover the loss of health benefit compensation from last year, let alone this year.

The display of unity and community support shows educators are standing up to a school board that has given the Superintendent, administrators, and other employees $11,161 more in health benefit compensation than teachers.

“We have been asking parents and community members to call school board members in support of better health benefits and compensation,” said FUTA president Tammy Ferguson. “FUSD’s salary proposal is simply not enough to keep up with the cost of living and to keep our teachers healthy.” The school district’s failure to respect the value of its staff has caused substantial staff turnover and left still unfilled teaching vacancies in important areas such as math and special education for this current school year.

Fillmore teachers overwhelmingly voted down a mediated settlement earlier last month.

WHAT: Fillmore educators and community will picket school board meeting over lagging salaries, benefits, and harm to teacher retention in the district.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 1 at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: 627 Sespe Ave, Fillmore

The Fillmore Unified Teachers Association is affiliated with the 310,000-member CTA and the 3-million-member National Education Association.