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MARCH 2026 NEWS

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Dear FUTA members, 

Spring break is almost here, and I don’t know about you, but the countdown is very real right now. This time of year always brings a mix of excitement and exhaustion, and with Easter around the corner, it also gives us a chance to pause, reflect, and hopefully enjoy some well deserved rest with the people we love.

I want to start by saying how grateful I am for all of you. I am thankful for our colleagues, for the work you do every day, and for the way our membership continues to grow stronger because people are speaking up and using their voices. That is how real change happens. When we show up together and support one another, our union becomes a powerful force.

I also want to encourage everyone to continue attending board meetings and sharing your thoughts. Your voice matters more than you may realize. I know speaking up can feel uncomfortable or even scary at times, but we cannot let fear stop us from advocating for ourselves. We are stronger together, and you are not alone in this.

Something I think we all feel is the constant pressure of doing everything “for the students.” While our hearts are absolutely in this work, too often teachers are putting themselves last. When we keep pushing ourselves without rest or balance, we burn out, and that is how we lose amazing educators. We have to protect ourselves so we can continue doing what we love.

Putting yourself first does not mean you care any less. Prioritizing your mental health does not make you less dedicated. It simply means you recognize that you are human. Your family matters. Your well-being matters. Having a healthy work life balance matters. You should never feel guilty for setting boundaries or saying no to extra work that takes away from your health or your home life.

It is okay to advocate for yourself. It is okay to take care of yourself. When your cup is full, you have so much more to give, and that benefits everyone.

As we head into spring break and this season of renewal, I hope you take time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the moments that bring you joy. Thank you for all that you do, for standing together, and for continuing to make our union stronger every day.

Jaymee Ramos

FUTA President

FUTA Contract

FillmoreUTA.org

REP COUNCIL MEETINGS

Please join us for Rep Council! Meetings will be held on ZOOM this year at 3:45PM. 
All members are welcome!
3/9/26
4/6/26
5/4/26

BARGAINING UPDATE

Your bargaining team met on January 27th and February 18th with FUSD in the third and fourth bargaining session of the year. Both days were productive!

FUSD proposed a response to:

● Article 17 Leaves

● Article 7 Safety 

FUTA proposed a response to:

● Article 7 Leaves DO counter proposal

● Article 17 Safety DO counter proposal

Both sides engaged in collaborative conversation on the current articles and FUTA made some big gains. In regards to the articles above we are close to an agreement from both sides.

The bargaining team will also continue to work on hours of employment, seniority at the elementary level, evaluation forms, the other open articles.

Thank you for putting your trust in the bargaining team as the focus is always on what the majority of our members ask for in the survey. I know at times it can seem hard to understand the inner workings of the bargaining team, but we always have your best interest in mind.

GRIEVANCES 

● In December, we had a level two grievance based on discrimination and retaliation that settled in favor of FUTA. 

● After participating in mediation, FUTA is currently submitting our secondary Seniority grievance to arbitration. 

CONTRACT CORNER: 

ARTICLE 7.4 CLASS SUSPENSIONS

7.4.1 A unit member may suspend a student from his/her class for the day of the suspension and the day following for any of the following actions:

• Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical injury to another person.

• Caused or attempted to cause damage to school property or private property

• Disrupted school activities or otherwise willfully defied the valid authority of the teacher

• Any other infraction as enumerated in Education Code 48900

7.4.1.1 The teacher shall immediately report the suspension to the principal, or designee, for appropriate action. As soon as possible, the teacher shall ask the parent or guardian of the pupil to attend a parent-teacher conference regarding

the suspension. An administrator will attend the conference if either parent or teacher so requests.

7.4.1.2 A student suspended by a teacher shall not be placed in another teacher’s

classroom for that designated period of class suspension.

7.4.1.3 If steps outlined above are taken with respect to a student, and the behavioral problem continues to exist, the teacher and the principal/designee shall continue, in a cooperative fashion, to discuss and attempt to identify and

implement a resolution to the problem.

7.4.2 No teacher shall be required or asked to take a suspended student into his or her

classroom pursuant to Education Code 48910.

7.4.3 A teacher has the right to suspend a student pursuant to Education Code 48910 or ask the principal to suspend a student.

7.4.4 No teacher shall receive a negative evaluation based solely on the exercise of his or her right pursuant to Education Code 48910 or the use of the district or school site disciplinary plan. The legal application of Education Code 48910 or the District or

School discipline plan shall not be used as a negative indicator of performance in a teacher’s formal evaluation.

7.4.5 Nothing herein shall prevent teachers, with the approval of the principal, from including in their written classroom discipline plan a provision whereby a student may be sent to another teacher’s classroom, with the agreement of that teacher, as an

alternative to a classroom suspension. For safety reasons, the school office shall be notified by the sending teacher.