President's Message

Valued VTA Members,
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As a lead in to our March 4th bargaining meeting, Dr. Devin Vodicka distributed a letter on March 3rd assuring us that the VUSD team will continue to model our VUSD values.  He listed respect, trust and collaboration. 

After years of furlough days, larger class sizes and increased health care costs VTA was finally able to negotiate a raise, return class sizes to previous language and a very small addition to the insurance CAP. These advances only came about due to the VTA bargaining team's dedication to a fair agreement and the support of all VTA members. We were able to bargain this agreement because the facts supported the VTA team. VUSD had increased their reserve over five years due to concessions by VTA members and with the new funding formula the District received millions of dollars more in their budget. 

For the 2015-2016 the District will receive additional monies.  In their own words:

"Based on what the District received for 14/15 and the Governors Budget Proposal we are expecting to receive $13.45 million in additional funding.  Of that $13.45 million, $5.26 million is Supplemental & Concentration leaving $8.19 million for base."
Heading into bargaining sessions with this good news we trust to collaboratively reach an agreement that respects our contribution to student success.
We will be keeping you updated as the sessions progress. Stayed tuned.

Sincerely,
Barbara J Dawson