Associated Calexico Teachers and the Calexico Unified School District in Hopes of an Agreement

Associated Calexico Teachers and the Calexico Unified School District in Hopes of an Agreement
By Mario Conde
Tribune Weekly Chronicle
May 10, 2012

Negotiations continue between the Associated Calexico Teachers and the Calexico Unified School District in hopes of an agreement.

Teachers, parents, and students protested on a rally outside the District office and show support to the negotiating team that was going to meet with district officials Monday evening. The Calexico School Board voted to lay off 86 teachers in order to solve budget deficit. The meeting started at 4p.m. Monday and they were still meeting at 6 a.m. Tuesday. The fact-finding meeting ended round 8 a.m.

At the rally there were teachers from other valley school districts such as Calipatria and Brawley showing support to the teachers and students. The District and the ACT have not come to an agreement for many months and are hoping to reach an agreement at the end of the year.

Members of the California Teachers Association Board of Directors were present at the rally to show support to the negotiating team. Jim Groth, Board member of CTA, said that they are with Calexico teachers and they will be supporting them until all the teachers that were layoff are re-instated.

Mikkie Cichocki, CTA Secretary/Treasurer, said to be proud of Calexico because they always stick together in the hard times.

“It is amazing what this board has done to you but we are here with you until the end and will not leave you alone.” She said.

The teachers union has protested the board’s decision to terminate the teachers and have gone picketing to their houses and their workplaces.

ACT President Enrique Cervantes said it was a typical tactic and let the board know they will not give up the fight.

“We are doing it because we want to tell them that we don’t play games.” He said.

The ACT and the District have not come to an agreement since they don’t see eye to eye on the budget presented, he said.

The next Calexico School Board meeting will take place Thursday, May 10, 2012 at William Moreno Jr. High Multi-Purpose Room and will begin at 6:00p.m.