K-3 Class Sizes to Stay at 28:1 Under New Teacher Contract

will be spared from swelling classes for at least one more year.

The district reached an agreement with the San Leandro Teachers’ Association (SLTA) last week to extend the current collective bargaining agreement between the two parties for the coming school year.

That means class sizes will remain at 28 students per teacher for kindergarten through third grade.

In addition, the following programs and positions will not be eliminated, as previously announced by the district:

1. Middle school counseling program
2. Elementary school physical education preparation periods
3. Elementary school music program
4.  program to remain at 2010-11 staffing levels

Teachers agreed to maintain flexibility of class sizes at the middle school level. 

Teachers also agreed to take one instructional day as a furlough day next year. But that day would be restored if the state passes the tax hike extensions proposed by Gov. Jerry Brown as a way to eliminate the budget deficit. 

School districts across the state have spent the past few months in — legally forced to firm up budgets for a July 1 deadline without a final state budget upon which to base their own. The San Leandro Unified School district depends on the state for the majority of its revenue.

Despite the good news for parents, school officials and the 20 teachers who faced layoffs, the happiness may be short-lived. The district warns on its website that come July 1, 2012, most of the staff cuts and program reductions planned for this year could return, including bumping K-3 class sizes to 32 students per teacher. 

According to the district, San Leandro Unified is currently the lowest funded district in Alameda County.

"The SLUSD is not satisfied with the current level of funding and we continue to look into other funding options that could reduce our dependence on the minimal funding we receive from the state," reads the notice posted on the district website. 

Although the agreement between the district and the teachers' union was made on June 13, it won't become official until union members ratify it and the Board of Education approves it.