PAEA Update

February 5, 2026
This update addresses highlights of the most consequential issues affecting students, staffing, and long-term financial sustainability.  Please scroll down for summary and videos of topics. 

An Unprecedented and Unsustainable Cost Proposal
The current PAEA proposal represents over $42.5 million in new ongoing costs, the equivalent of approximately a 28% increase when salary, benefits, and associated structural changes are fully accounted for.

Authorization for Strikes Unrelated to PAUSD Operations

PAEA has proposed contract language that would allow leave time for teachers to participate in statewide or national strikes for causes not directly related to PAUSD.

A Reasonable, Student-Centered Workday Expectation

The District has proposed a defined workday requiring teachers to be on their sites by the first bell and remain available to students until the last bell of the instructional day.

This expectation is consistent with surrounding districts and, in many cases, is more modest than regional norms, which often include additional minutes on either end of the day. The District believes it is reasonable and student-centered to expect teachers to be on campus when students are present. This proposal has been met with strong opposition from the PAEA bargaining team.

Expanded Time Away from Teaching and Student Access

PAEA has proposed increasing the number of instructional periods during which some secondary teachers would not be assigned to teach students. At the middle and high school levels, teachers currently receive two preparation periods within a seven-period day, with some assignments already receiving a third. During these periods, teachers are engaged in professional responsibilities, but they are not providing direct classroom instruction to students.

 Each additional non-teaching section carries a significant cost. At current staffing and compensation levels, the District is effectively paying approximately $35,000 per section for time in which a certificated employee is not assigned to teach a class. Expanding non-teaching time beyond current levels would require either increasing class sizes for students or hiring additional staff, both of which have long-term fiscal implications.

 It is also important to note that the District already maintains the lowest certificated employee-to-student ratio in the state of California. Further reducing the proportion of teacher time spent in front of students would move the system in the opposite direction of maximizing adult access to students during the instructional day and would not be sustainable over time.