The following post was written by Karen VanWinkle.*

On Thursday, August 20th, I will vote to strike.

A not-so-funny thing happened during my summer vacation. To save money during the recession, our cash strapped school district quietly made it harder for English Language Learners, low socio-economic students and teachers in the WCCUSD to succeed. That’s right. Not surprisingly, like the rest of the country, our school district is in a severe financial crisis. Unfortunately, the “balanced approach” budget cuts that our District made this year will hurt all of us, especially students and teachers.

Last April, as teachers and students aimed our sights at improving our California State Test scores, the WCCUSD School Board voted 3 to 2 to increase class size in kindergarten and 3rd grade. Then in July, while students enjoyed vacation and many teachers worked a 2nd job, the School Board voted to drastically cut teacher’s health benefits. Because of these unacceptable decisions, I will vote with my fellow colleagues on Thursday to authorize a teacher’s strike in the WCCUSD this fall.

I am one of the privileged teachers that came into this career because of Class Size Reduction (CSR). I’ve been a teacher in WCCUSD at Dover Elementary School for 12 years. Dover is the most improved school in the district over the past two years with 108 point API growth. We also consistently have the highest monthly attendance among elementary schools. Dover is where my heart and soul lies. I remain a teacher in this community because these families have become my family. At our school, we may not have the highest test scores in the district, but our students, parents, and principal would all agree, the quality of our teaching is exceptional. My colleagues and I always go above and beyond for our students. We consider the individual needs of ALL of our students, whether they are English Language Learners, GATE, or Special Ed. It is our job to do this.

Class Size Increase
As voted by our School Board, this school year, WCCUSD kindergarten classes will have 24 students and 3rd grade classes will be bursting with 28 students. Again teachers and students will be expected to continue meeting the federal No Child Left Behind requirements with little resources and in an even more crowded classroom. Again urban children with the fewest opportunities will be asked to carry Superintendent Harter’s “balanced approach to financial survival.”

Class Size Reduction allows teachers to work more frequently with students in small groups or individually. As found by California’s CSR Research Consortium:

In all three prior years of our evaluation, teachers of third-grade reduced size classes reported more sessions in which they provided individual instruction of 5 minutes or more to students having difficulties in reading. There were other indications that smaller classes were more personal, although not all of these were evident in each study year. Teachers of reduced size classes were more likely to say they:

• Know what each student knows and can do;
• Provide feedback on writing assignments within 1 day;
• Give more individual attention to students; and
• Meet the instructional needs of all students.

Conversely, teachers in non-reduced size classes were more likely to say that they would like to give more individual attention to their students but do not have time to do so, and that they find it hard to meet the instructional needs of all their students.

Small group instruction is essential for all K-3 students, especially English Language Learners. In a 30,380 student school district that is comprised of 33.8% English Language Learners and 63.1% students that are Eligible for Free or Reduced Price Meals, it is deplorable that the WCCUSD School Board would increase class size. As recommended by a WestEd CSR study in 1999:

Since research shows that children in the primary grades and, especially, poor and minority children benefit most from smaller classes, it makes sense to direct CSR monies toward these children. Such targeting can also offset some of the difficulties inner-city and poor, rural schools face in attracting well qualified teachers and finding sufficient classroom space.

With its disgraceful decision to increase class size, it is clear. The WCCUSD School Board not only disrespects our students but they want our children from low socio-economic families and English Language Learners to fail.

Decreased Health Benefits
My family will be financially devastated by the WCCUSD School Board decision to decrease health care. As of January 1, 2010, the District monthly health premium payment will be decreased to $508.30, less than the cost of an individual premium. For my family of four, I will have to find an additional $876.36 each month to keep my family’s health-care coverage at its current level. Added up over the course of a year, that’s nearly one fifth of my current annual salary.

Like our students, again WCCUSD teachers will be asked to carry the burden of Superintendent Harter’s “balanced approach to financial survival” while we are one of the most underpaid school districts in the Bay Area. Among 39 school districts in Contra Costa, Napa, Solano, Alameda and Santa Clara counties, WCCUSD teachers are 36th, with a starting salary of $36,929. Despite this depressing reality, each time weâ ve renegotiated our contract, the teachers have consistently voted to protect our benefits instead of increase our salary. During the past six years, we have received 3 salary increases. Most recently, midyear in January 2008, we received a 4% salary increase. Also, midyear in 2006, we received a 3% increase. At that time, among other Contra Costa County school districts, our salary ranked among the bottom 20%. Before that, WCCUSD teachers got a 2% increase in 2003-2004 that was deferred until 2005-2006. With this salary, how can teachers with families possibly afford these new health care costs, survive in the Bay Area, and continue to teach where the best teachers are most needed?

For 12 years, I have stayed out of the ugly politics between our teachers union and the District. Instead, I’ve worked with consistent passion in my own sphere of influence: my beloved elementary school and my students. That is, until now. The School Board’s “balanced approach” budget is appalling. I can no longer ignore the actions of the School Board. I will no longer remain silent.

Like many parents, I am very worried about how all of this will affect our children. How will our children learn in an overcrowded classroom? What will our children learn from a substitute while their teacher is on strike? If you’re feeling upset and concerned for our children like I am, let your voice be heard! Please ask questions, talk with teachers and neighbors, write a letter to or call School Board members, and vote the School Board members OUT in the next election! The more informed and outspoken we are as a community, the more successful our schools will be!

* Karen VanWinkle is a resident of Baywood and a twelve-year veteran teacher in WCCUSD.