Teacher Pickets Continue: Share Your Photos

Is it just us, or are picket signs becoming a more common sight in Elk Grove lately?

Elk Grove Patch was driving down Elk Grove Florin Road Monday afternoon when we were surprised to see a couple dozen sign-waving teachers gathered in front of the offices.

The teachers, who have been battling district officials over changes the district is seeking to their benefits, said they want to keep the pressure on after that drew over 1,000 teachers and their supporters.

A three-member fact-finding panel recently heard testimony from the district and the teachers' union, the Elk Grove Education Association, on district proposals to cap spending on teachers' healthcare premiums and cancel an annual stipend paid to them from California Lottery funds. The panel will issue its non-binding recommendation by April 4, and picketers said groups of teachers from each school were taking turns staffing picket lines until then.

"We want to have our presence seen as much as possible until we hear some news," said Kim Forsythe, a teacher at .

The district says the benefit changes—which would raise premiums for most teachers to $63 for a single person or $179 for a family per month—are necessary to close a budget gap and cope with rising healthcare costs. Teachers argue they have already made enough concessions and that the district has a large enough reserve to weather this year's state funding uncertainties.

The two sides can continue negotiations while the fact-finders deliberate. District spokesperson Elizabeth Graswich said last week the district hoped to do so, but that no sessions were yet scheduled.

Do you think the ongoing protests will make a difference in the teachers' negotiations with the district? How should the EGUSD balance its budget? Tell us in the comments.

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