BOARD MEETINGS are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Petaluma City Schools District Office Board Room, 200 Douglas Street, Petaluma, beginning at 6:00 PM for public sessions.
It is so important for our members to attend these meetings. Please attend and be informed!!
It is so important for our members to attend these meetings. Please attend and be informed!!
Petaluma of Federation Teachers continue to stand up for fair compensation and working conditions. This page documents some of our past efforts so that we can continue to remember what meaningful actions can accomplish when we work together.
Make Your Voice Heard
School Board Members:
Board President: Joanna Paun - [email protected]
Mady Cloud - [email protected]
Sheldon Gen - [email protected]
Caitlin Quinn - [email protected]
Ellen Webster - [email protected]
Superintendent:
Matthew Harris 707-778-4604 [email protected]
School Board Members:
Board President: Joanna Paun - [email protected]
Mady Cloud - [email protected]
Sheldon Gen - [email protected]
Caitlin Quinn - [email protected]
Ellen Webster - [email protected]
Superintendent:
Matthew Harris 707-778-4604 [email protected]
Following the Petaluma City Schools Board of Trustees elections in November 2018, we are pleased that we are working with new Board members who have already set a tone of collaboration and respect with their employees, including management, certificated teachers, and classified staff. We are hopeful that this climate of cooperation will continue as we all work together to resolve and solve the issues facing our schools. The information below stands as evidence that we are, as a Federation, determined to maintain the quality of education for our students, ourselves, and our community.
Petaluma City Schools Teachers took ACTION during April and May, 2017
For information about why we conducted a one-day unfair labor practice strike on May 24, 2017, read more here.
For information about why we conducted a one-day unfair labor practice strike on May 24, 2017, read more here.
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PFT members previously participated in
a "work to rule" action the week of May 1-7, 2017. See our letters to the community below (in English and Spanish) 
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For the Record:
Why We Were on Strike on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 In May 2017, we took several actions to call attention to the ongoing issues connected to the contract settlement. Read about our May 24, 2017 one-day Unfair Labor Practice Strike HERE: Our Students and Schools Are Too Important To Waste Time Playing the District’s Games On Wednesday, May 24, Petaluma City Schools teachers reluctantly stayed away from their classrooms to participate in a one-day strike calling attention to the unfair actions by the District that are preventing us from addressing the issues that really matter to our students and their families. The District’s unlawful conduct violates our constitutional right to engage in legally protected labor activities. By refusing to bargain in good faith, the District is blocking progress toward an agreement that will preserve small class sizes for Petaluma students, boost efforts to retain experienced teachers, and adopt measures to keep our schools safe and academically strong.
to return to the bargaining table. |
News Release for May 24, 2017: We Mean Business – Let’s Get Back to the Bargaining Table!
Teachers and certificated staff were not in their Petaluma City Schools classrooms on Wednesday, May 24. Instead, they were outside their schools participating in a one day strike objecting to unfair labor practices committed by the School District. Petaluma Federation of Teachers picket lines at each school called attention to the actions of Superintendent Gary Callahan, who misled our members regarding our worker rights. Treating others unfairly—and unlawfully—is not an example anyone should be setting for our students. We deeply regret any impact this action may have had on our students and their families, but after more than 18 months of contract talks we feel strongly that we must take a stand on behalf of all classified and certificated District employees to protest unlawful treatment as we fight for a fair contract. Teachers and support staff deserve contracts that honor their professional experience and minimizes turnover. This is especially important considering the current statewide teacher shortage. Together with parents and others in our community, we will make our schools a better place for all of Petaluma’s children. |
Read the Jobs with Justice Workers' Rights Board
Final Report, January 2015 with Findings and Recommendations:
Final Report, January 2015 with Findings and Recommendations:
| Workers' Rights Board Final Report 1.29.15 |
Read about Petaluma teachers in the latest issue of CFT's "Get Organized" (link below). We get two mentions, because we are awesome like that!
Past Actions and Events:
School Board Meeting on Tuesday, February 10th, 2015.
This is an essential time for teachers to organize and make sure our voices our heard. Sandwiched in-between the final report and recommendations from the Workers' Rights Board press conference and the first mediation session for negotiations, we need to have a strong presence at the board meeting on Tuesday, 2/10. Please invite parents, students and other community members to join teachers at this meeting. We will be gathering in front of the District Office at 5:40 and walking in together at the beginning of the meeting.
Posted January 22, 2015:
Workers' Rights Board Hearing: Findings and Recommendations on January 29th. The North Bay Workers' Rights Board carefully carefully considered the testimony from students, parents and teachers from the hearing held in December. These community leaders subsequently interviewed Mr. Bolman, school board members and past union leadership to gather even more information about working conditions for teachers in Petaluma. Let's join them at the Petaluma Public Library on Thursday, 1/29 at 4pm to hear their final report.
December 11, 2014: We are now awaiting the official findings and recommendations from the Board of the North Bay Jobs with Justice.
Here are links to video from the evening:
Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm0fK7iKEsQ
Full testimony:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN_YZswNES4
December 2014: North Bay Jobs with Justice to Hold Hearing on Contract Negotiations and Working Conditions for Teachers in Petaluma City Schools
Petaluma, Calif. -- The North Bay Jobs with Justice Workers’ Rights Board will hold a hearing on contract negotiations and working conditions for the Petaluma Federation of Teachers on December 11, 2014, at 6:00-7:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 pm) at the Woman’s Club Building in Petaluma, 518 B Street. Coffee, tea, and dessert will be provided.
The Petaluma Federation of Teachers (PFT) have requested that the Workers’ Rights Board review both the current state of contract negotiations between the union and the district and working conditions within Petaluma City Schools. PFT has been unable to resolve contract issues with the Superintendent and the Petaluma City School District resulting in unfair working conditions that could undermine quality education in Petaluma City schools.
The Workers’ Rights Board is a public forum where workers can bring complaints against employers for violating their rights in the workplace. The Workers Rights Board is a project of North Bay Jobs with Justice, a community-labor coalition comprised of fourteen labor and community organizations and affiliated with national Jobs with Justice.
The Workers’ Rights Board consists of community leaders who have experience with workers’ rights issues and public education. The board will hear testimony from teachers, parents, and other community members about workers’ rights and management of the Petaluma City School District. The board will make recommendations to the Petaluma teachers and to the Petaluma City Schools Superintendent and School Board. The intent of the hearing is for the community to learn about the issues, and for community leaders to provide the district and teachers with suggestions and possible new directions to resolve contract issues in order to maintain standards and quality education in the district.
The event is free, open to the public and wheelchair accessible.
Contact: Matt Myres, North Bay Jobs with Justice Workers' Rights Board, 707-508-8875 NothbayJobsWithJustice.org
School Board Meeting on Tuesday, February 10th, 2015.
This is an essential time for teachers to organize and make sure our voices our heard. Sandwiched in-between the final report and recommendations from the Workers' Rights Board press conference and the first mediation session for negotiations, we need to have a strong presence at the board meeting on Tuesday, 2/10. Please invite parents, students and other community members to join teachers at this meeting. We will be gathering in front of the District Office at 5:40 and walking in together at the beginning of the meeting.
Posted January 22, 2015:
Workers' Rights Board Hearing: Findings and Recommendations on January 29th. The North Bay Workers' Rights Board carefully carefully considered the testimony from students, parents and teachers from the hearing held in December. These community leaders subsequently interviewed Mr. Bolman, school board members and past union leadership to gather even more information about working conditions for teachers in Petaluma. Let's join them at the Petaluma Public Library on Thursday, 1/29 at 4pm to hear their final report.
December 11, 2014: We are now awaiting the official findings and recommendations from the Board of the North Bay Jobs with Justice.
Here are links to video from the evening:
Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm0fK7iKEsQ
Full testimony:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN_YZswNES4
December 2014: North Bay Jobs with Justice to Hold Hearing on Contract Negotiations and Working Conditions for Teachers in Petaluma City Schools
Petaluma, Calif. -- The North Bay Jobs with Justice Workers’ Rights Board will hold a hearing on contract negotiations and working conditions for the Petaluma Federation of Teachers on December 11, 2014, at 6:00-7:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 pm) at the Woman’s Club Building in Petaluma, 518 B Street. Coffee, tea, and dessert will be provided.
The Petaluma Federation of Teachers (PFT) have requested that the Workers’ Rights Board review both the current state of contract negotiations between the union and the district and working conditions within Petaluma City Schools. PFT has been unable to resolve contract issues with the Superintendent and the Petaluma City School District resulting in unfair working conditions that could undermine quality education in Petaluma City schools.
The Workers’ Rights Board is a public forum where workers can bring complaints against employers for violating their rights in the workplace. The Workers Rights Board is a project of North Bay Jobs with Justice, a community-labor coalition comprised of fourteen labor and community organizations and affiliated with national Jobs with Justice.
The Workers’ Rights Board consists of community leaders who have experience with workers’ rights issues and public education. The board will hear testimony from teachers, parents, and other community members about workers’ rights and management of the Petaluma City School District. The board will make recommendations to the Petaluma teachers and to the Petaluma City Schools Superintendent and School Board. The intent of the hearing is for the community to learn about the issues, and for community leaders to provide the district and teachers with suggestions and possible new directions to resolve contract issues in order to maintain standards and quality education in the district.
The event is free, open to the public and wheelchair accessible.
Contact: Matt Myres, North Bay Jobs with Justice Workers' Rights Board, 707-508-8875 NothbayJobsWithJustice.org
More past efforts and actions from 2014
Tuesday, October 14th March and Press Conference before the School Board Meeting
We need your help! Join us on October 14th:
4:15 - Meet at Walnut Park * 4:30 - March to the District Office * 5:00 - Press Conference
5:45 - School Board Meeting (We need parents, teachers, and community members to speak out.)
Let's all rally together in support of quality education and respectful decision-making here in Petaluma!
Petaluma's students deserve to have teachers who are treated fairly...and your students' teachers need their community's support!
Friday, September 19th at/before 4 p.m.
Business Outreach Day, EAST SIDE!
Please join us! It's time to get the word out to the community of Petaluma! Let's reach out to local businesses and see who will post a flyer in support of Petaluma teachers.
Thursday, September 18th at 4:00 pm
General Membership Meeting
Mary Collins School at Cherry Valley, Multiuse Room
Come with your questions and ideas about contract negotiations, school board candidates, and more!
Tuesday, September 9:
Let's stand together: in support of a fair contract, to get answers to those mysterious budget questions, to restore the balance of power to education in Petaluma.
Rally at Walnut Park at 4:30
(special guest presenter: Jessica Ulstad, political organizer from the California Federation of Teachers)
We will march to the school board meeting after we rally together.
School Board meeting begins at 5:45 at the district office, 200 Douglas, Petaluma.
The budget is on the agenda! Come ready to share your story and ask lots of questions.
Signs will be provided, but feel free to byo sign. Wear union blue if you can!
***Special invitation: Classified employees, parents, students and community members--please join us and show solidarity with teachers!***
Tuesday, September 2:
Petaluma Federation of Teachers presents:Meet the Candidates!
Petaluma City Schools has three seats open on the school board this fall. All five candidates have been invited to this event to share their opinions and ideas with the public.
Come and hear what your school board candidates have to say about education in Petaluma!
Tuesday, September 2nd, 4:00 pm
Meet the Petaluma School Board Candidates at the Petaluma Public Library
PFT leadership will interview each candidate separately (in front of the public).
A Question-and-Answer session will follow the interviews. This Q&A session will be open to the public—come with your questions for our school board candidates!
Friday, August 29th: Business Outreach Day
Please join us!It's time to get the word out to the community of Petaluma! Let's reach out to local businesses and see who will post a flyer in support of Petaluma teachers.
Tuesday, October 14th March and Press Conference before the School Board Meeting
We need your help! Join us on October 14th:
4:15 - Meet at Walnut Park * 4:30 - March to the District Office * 5:00 - Press Conference
5:45 - School Board Meeting (We need parents, teachers, and community members to speak out.)
Let's all rally together in support of quality education and respectful decision-making here in Petaluma!
Petaluma's students deserve to have teachers who are treated fairly...and your students' teachers need their community's support!
Friday, September 19th at/before 4 p.m.
Business Outreach Day, EAST SIDE!
Please join us! It's time to get the word out to the community of Petaluma! Let's reach out to local businesses and see who will post a flyer in support of Petaluma teachers.
Thursday, September 18th at 4:00 pm
General Membership Meeting
Mary Collins School at Cherry Valley, Multiuse Room
Come with your questions and ideas about contract negotiations, school board candidates, and more!
Tuesday, September 9:
Let's stand together: in support of a fair contract, to get answers to those mysterious budget questions, to restore the balance of power to education in Petaluma.
Rally at Walnut Park at 4:30
(special guest presenter: Jessica Ulstad, political organizer from the California Federation of Teachers)
We will march to the school board meeting after we rally together.
School Board meeting begins at 5:45 at the district office, 200 Douglas, Petaluma.
The budget is on the agenda! Come ready to share your story and ask lots of questions.
Signs will be provided, but feel free to byo sign. Wear union blue if you can!
***Special invitation: Classified employees, parents, students and community members--please join us and show solidarity with teachers!***
Tuesday, September 2:
Petaluma Federation of Teachers presents:Meet the Candidates!
Petaluma City Schools has three seats open on the school board this fall. All five candidates have been invited to this event to share their opinions and ideas with the public.
Come and hear what your school board candidates have to say about education in Petaluma!
Tuesday, September 2nd, 4:00 pm
Meet the Petaluma School Board Candidates at the Petaluma Public Library
PFT leadership will interview each candidate separately (in front of the public).
A Question-and-Answer session will follow the interviews. This Q&A session will be open to the public—come with your questions for our school board candidates!
Friday, August 29th: Business Outreach Day
Please join us!It's time to get the word out to the community of Petaluma! Let's reach out to local businesses and see who will post a flyer in support of Petaluma teachers.