Andy Pike, Forsa's head of education, said a union agreement with the department in 2023 successfully standardised pay and conditions for school secretaries, ending years of disparity in pay, contracts, and job security. "It was a landmark agreement, marking a major step forward in recognising the critical role of school secretaries in our education system," he said.
This outcome reflects the power of educators standing together against cuts harmful to our goal of retaining experienced teachers in Oakland's hardest-to-staff classrooms.