The Dublin Unified School District is bracing for a teachers strike that could start as early as Monday if the two sides can’t reach a contract agreement over the weekend.
In February, the Dublin Teachers Association voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike following state-mandated mediation in January.
On Friday, DUSD Superintendent Chris Funk said the two sides are trying to hammer out a last-minute deal.
“DTA has called for a strike to begin on Monday. We are at the table this afternoon and will be through the weekend to try and reach an agreement,” Funk said.
The teachers have asked for a 3.5% salary increase, heath benefit improvements and class-size reductions, including a “hard cap” of 20 students for TK classes, College Prep teacher totals reduced from 165 students down to 150 students per teacher and high school PE classes reduced from 250 students to 200 per PE teacher, among other things.
Based on its understanding of a recent fact-finding report, the district is offering a one-time payment equal to 1% of teachers’ current base salary and a 2.1% ongoing pay increase effective July 1, 2025.
The district also offered to make some health care contribution increases and “to convene a committee to identify funding sources and priorities for reducing class size.”
“The union has maintained an initial proposal that would require ongoing expenditures the district cannot sustain without making even deeper cuts to staffing and student programs.”
Dublin Unified School District statement
“The district has faced three consecutive years of multi-million-dollar budget reductions due to stagnant state funding, declining enrollment, and rising pension and healthcare costs,” according to a statement on the district’s website. “The union has maintained an initial proposal that would require ongoing expenditures the district cannot sustain without making even deeper cuts to staffing and student programs.”
The union alleges the district unnecessarily spends millions of dollars on outside consultants, “admitted to a $3.6 million budgeting error” and that the superintendent maintains high salaries for himself and his executive team.
“For over 18 months, Dublin educators have been putting forward clear, responsible solutions that prioritize students and protect classrooms,” said DTA President Brad Dobrzenski said in February. “District leadership has failed to implement these solutions. This strike authorization vote shows that our educators are united and serious about demanding that management invest in Dublin students.”
If the two sides can reach an agreement to forestall a strike, district schools will remain open, albeit on an adjusted schedule.
More information about the strike can also be found at the district’s website.
