Union Perspective Part 3

In this trilogy of articles, the possibility of school times beginning no later than 8:30 is looking pretty unlikely. Both the California Teachers Association (CTA) and the California School Board Association (CSBA) are strongly against Senate Bill 328.

“The bill was a good idea. It’s not a good approach [because] state level doesn’t work. [It should be at the] local level instead [of] Sacramento. Each [district] is so different. It [just shows] how different each state district [is]. It would force buses [to leave] later. If the bill is so important to [Senator Portantino], he should ask the district. I encourage him to talk to folks at local level,” said Claudia Briggs, a CTA spokeswoman.

Seth Bramble, a legislative advocate for the CTA wrote a mailing about Senate Bill 328 and why the CTA opposed it.

“There are major indications [against the bill]. [Buses would have to] go far or just buy more. Some communities would want it and some wouldn’t. The bill [and its effect] would be wide spread. [The decision] should be up to the school district,” said Bramble.

Nancy Chaires Espinoza,  a CSBA legislative advocate, also believes that the bill should be at the local level, decided by the school board.

“[Senate Bill 328] was stalled in Assembly. The majority were not persuaded that it would have the intended effect. We have more reasons against it. The C.T.A only covers teachers. We cover students, teachers and students’ parents. A concern we have is that if a student has only one parent or both parents who work, and there is no one there to make sure they get up to go to school after their parents have gone to work, they are most likely to be absent. Instead of imposing a one-size-fits-all mandate on every single secondary school in the state, [Senator Portantino should] encourage school districts who want later start times and help them,” said Espinoza.

Both unions disagree with Senate Bill 328 for various reasons. However, both can agree that this is a problem in need of a solution. The unions believe that Senator Portantino’s way isn’t the right way. Overall, the health of students is in question and the solution has still not yet been found.