October President's Message

Dear Esteemed Members, 

Thank you for your tremendous service to the students of Vista Unified; however, as I send VTA’s heartfelt gratitude, I do not want to normalize unrealistic expectations of educators. It has been inspiring to witness how you have prioritized Vista’s students. You often sacrifice your own families, your health, and for some, your personal beliefs. I want to remind you that self-care is important.  This link is a workshop on Nov. 3rd for educators to promote and support self-care for yourself.  

At VTA’s Representative Council meeting on Monday night, we voted unanimously to communicate and encourage our membership to exercise their rights when asked to split classes, or sub during their prep time.  Working together as a collective bargaining unit will send a clear message to the district of our value until we reach a Tentative Agreement (TA) including FAIR COMPENSATION.

Message From Executive Board and Representative Council 

It’s clear that many members are overworked and feel undervalued, yet the District continues to increase the workload on its staff. Meanwhile the District still has yet to recognize your work with one-time RESTORATIVE COMPENSATION that surrounding educators received long ago.

This is not a bonus! We are appealing to the District to compensate educators in Vista for all we have given in extra time and expenses out of our own pockets the last 18 months. Until they do so, we think it’s time to start resisting the District’s ever-increasing demands.  

Our strength comes through unity, and one way to show our power is by collectively exercising our rights and not splitting classes or giving up our limited prep time to sub. In doing so, we send a clear message that we stand together for reasonable working conditions and fair compensation.

We also encourage you to wear your VTA shirts this Thursday, Nov. 4th (VTA bargaining), and every Thursday in a continuous show of solidarity.
 
If we continue to solve problems for the district, they will continue to TAKE, TAKE, TAKE, and fail to compensate us in a timely manner. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!! Show them what our educators are worth. 

In Solidarity, 

Keri Avila

Know Your Contract
18.9 Regular Teacher Substitute Compensation 

It is your choice to sub during your prep or to split students when a sub is not available. If you decline, then your administrator must respect your decision. If you decide to take additional students or to sub during your prep, you must be financially compensated(sub pay/splitting sub pay, hourly rate).
 
Other Information
CTA Scholarships 
New Educator Weekend Virtual Conference 

• If you have questions:
  
  • About the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) speak to your site Rep, if your site does not have a Rep please contact VTA. 
    
  • If you have questions about the accommodation for Covid Testing please contact VTA at vtapres@gmail.com.
    

Monthly Raffle Question
What is your favorite horror movie and why?...Happy Halloween!
We will be drawing the winning response on Thursday, November 4th.