Holding signs and handing out flyers, teachers part of the Palo Alto Educators Association rallied for higher salaries at schools across the district yesterday morning.
After the PAEA and Palo Alto Unified School District declared an impasse regarding salary raises on March 29, both parties agreed to bring in a state mediator to progress with the 2023-24 PAUSD teacher salary demands.
The PAEA hopes to reach an agreement that reflects the district’s number one ranking in the state, according to Gunn math teacher Kathy Hawes, rather than agreeing to the current district proposal of a 3.5% salary increase and $4,000 one-time payment.
“We’re the number one district [in the state], but we’re not number one in teacher pay,” Hawes said.
After more than 50 hours of negotiations with the district and state mediator, PAEA members felt they still had little success in their demands for salary raises and more affordable housing, PAEA President Teri Baldwin said.
“We will probably be outside the next board meeting again, we’re going to continue mediation with the district and hopefully reach an agreement,” Baldwin said.
Hawes said she hopes the rally shows the district how highly teachers prioritize providing quality education for students.
“I love working here, but I can’t afford to stay here unless our raises keep up with the cost of living,’ Hawes said. “We’re hoping to get students and parents to join us because we are fighting for [students] and [their] education.”
