In our effort to make investments to provide students with an equal opportunity to graduate with the greatest number of postsecondary choices from the widest array of options, we are pleased to share that at the September 7th Board of Education meeting, the Board voted unanimously in support of ratifying a three-year agreement with United Professional Educators—a critical labor partner in helping us work toward our goals for improving student achievement.

UPE represents our district’s Principals, Assistant Principals and other administrative leaders. They play a leadership role in ensuring the Superintendent’s vision for students in Sac City Unified is implemented at each school site. As part of the agreement, UPE members have agreed to begin contributing payment toward the district’s $600 million unfunded liability for retiree benefits. If the unfunded liability debt continues to grow, it will limit the amount of resources available to fulfill the needs of our students. UPE recognizes the importance of paying down our unfunded liability so we can dedicate as many resources as possible to the classroom. As such, UPE members over the course of the next three years will begin paying $500 per year toward the unfunded liability.

UPE has also agreed to help the district further reduce costs by decreasing its members’ number of vacation days from 22 to 5 per year. New UPE members will receive 0 vacation days per year. This reduction in vacation days will help the district save an estimated $1.2 million.

UPE has also agreed to work with the district to establish a new evaluation system for its members, which will serve as a tool for ensuring that Principals, Assistant Principals and other administrative leaders are held accountable for increasing student achievement through the Superintendent’s vision for continuous improvement.

In exchange, the district will now cover 80 percent of UPE members’ family health benefits. The district previously contributed 0 percent toward UPE members’ family health benefits. The district will also make the salary schedule for UPE members more competitive with those of surrounding districts. This change in the salary schedule represents an approximately 3 percent average salary increase for UPE members for one year. UPE has agreed to 0 percent increases for 2017-18 and 2018-19. Click here to download a copy of the full agreement. 

The district appreciates UPE’s willingness to work toward a win-win agreement. This agreement will help the district maintain fiscal solvency. It will also help the district retain and attract the key talent necessary to lead our schools in improving student achievement with a focus on implementing Sac City’s vision of giving all students an equal opportunity to graduate with the greatest number of postsecondary choices from the widest array of options.