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PEA - A Few Questions and Answers
(Updated 10/8/25)
1.What does PEA think about all the Reddit posts regarding PUSD leadership?
PEA does not contribute to and has no control over the Reddit posts and comments. We do not share Reddit on our website or social media.
2.How can we have our non-employee family and friends help?
Please have them send an email to their PUSD school board representative! Click here to find their emails and even an example email template. They have only heard one side - they need to be willing to sit with teachers and hear our concerns as well.
3. How exactly did we get to this point? Do teachers still have input?
Please refer to our website regarding, "How did we get here?"
Members will always have a "say" and will ultimately make the major contract voting decisions when the time comes. The PEA executive team thoroughly reviewed every response on the multiple surveys sent out and will continue to do so. It is so very important to respond to surveys and vote when the time comes so your voice is heard.
4. I have heard examples of Article 34 abuse - are they true?
Please read through the testimonies of our members who were directly affected.
5. Isn't PEA just trying to "save" bad teachers who shouldn't be in the profession?
If you ask Uniserv, they will tell you they dislike criminal teachers more than shady adminstators - and I agree. Teachers who commit crimes against our students or others make us ALL look horrible. There is an Ed Code process specifically for teachers who are accused of or commit crimes; but this isn't what we are talking about with Article 34.6.2. Again, please read through the testimonies for a better view of what is going on in PUSD - and will continue if we don't stand together to stop further retaliatory behavior/bullying.
6. Who is Uniserv and why are they here "causing conflict?"
Teachers pay union fees that include representation from uniserv. They were established by "localized service to rural chapters that would normally be serviced out of Fresno or Bakersfield." They are associated with California Teachers Association and National Education Association. They are not causing conflict, rather providing legal and knowledgeable support for PEA. For more information about their services, please click here!
7. Is it really true Porterville Teachers work more than any others teachers?
Yes. Teachers work more contract time and instructional minutes compared to surround districts. Please look at this document for reference.
8. Is it really true that kindergarten to third grade levels classroom sizes can be 30?
Yes. Teachers can have classroom sizes 30 or more in a classroom for early stages of development for children & beyond! Please look at this document below for reference.
9. Is it true that in recent years Porterville teachers have received smaller increases in pay and benefits compared to surrounding districts?
Yes and no. When compared to nearby districts such as Lindsay, Burton, and Tulare City, Porterville teachers have received smaller percentage increases. Most of those districts settled contracts for the 2024–25 school year and received modest raises, while PUSD has not reached a settlement since 2023–24, meaning no raise for 2024–25.
In terms of benefits, PUSD contributes the highest dollar amount toward insurance, but that doesn’t mean teachers receive better coverage. Unlike neighboring districts that are part of the Self-Insured Schools of California (SISC), Porterville’s insurance is locally controlled. In recent years, costs have exceeded the district’s capped contribution ($18,500 in 2023–24 and $17,250 in 2024–25). As a result, teachers had to pay an extra $800 last year, and this year the additional cost is projected to be about $2,000 per member.
Overall, PEA is calling for both a change to a more stable plan such as SISC and raises comparable to neighboring districts.
10. Been hearing rumors about the District offered a 3.5 % increase in exchange of keeping Article 34? Any truth in that?
We are currently in impasse stage in negotiations and both the district and PEA Negotiation Team signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) meaning NO information can be shared. As a result, the rumor is baseless and untrue. But, the latest offer presented before impasse is here below:
1 % salary increase for the 2024-2025 school year, retroactive to July 1, 2024.
[.5% to 1.5%] salary increase for the 2025-2026 school year, effective January 1, 2026, with the amount tied to the contingency language regarding ADA and State Budget below.
An additional 1% salary increase for 2025-2026 in exchange for two extra professional development days for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years based on the availability of State Learning Recovery funds outside of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) base grant. Both days shall be used for activities including but not limited to training, documentation, planning, and referral of students for social emotional, behavioral, academic and other interventions or supports.
11. What's next?
Regarding the impasse process, we are scheduled for one more round of mediation on October 6th. Both sides may come to a tentative agreement (TA) that will be presented to the members for a vote OR we may not come to an agreement. If a TA is not reached, the assigned mediator will decide whether or not to release us to the fact-finding stage. Please click here for more
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