Snowline teachers and staff gathered at the Pinon Mesa Middle School parking lot before the Snowline Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, April 24, 2024. The “Mix & Mingle,” or “Board-walk,” as some participants called it, was to demonstrate unity and determination among teachers and classified staff. Led by Matt Bodell, president of the Snowline Teachers Association (STA), and Ashley Alverado, representing the California School Employees Association (CSEA), the gathering aimed to present a unified front in advocating for competitive wages and improved benefits for Snowline employees.
More than 200 Snowline employees gathered for the rally. Many certificated and classified Snowline staff could be seen walking on the sidewalk down Sheep Creek Road, over Nielsen Road, passing by the district office, then past the Snowline Board of Trustees boardroom, and finally back to the Pinon Mesa parking area. The employees proudly displayed handmade signs with slogans and sayings emphasizing their concerns and commitment to a successful employment contract negotiation.
Bodell and Alverado emphasized the importance of solidarity among bargaining units, recognizing that their strength lies in their ability to stand together. The rally also served as a visible reminder to the school board of the shared concerns of educators and classified employees alike.
While contract negotiations are a common annual activity between bargaining units (STA and CSEA) and district administrators working to find a compatible solution to everyone’s needs, the pre-board meeting get-together allowed district employees to unite and reaffirm their commitment to positive engagement with the district. It was a rally of solidarity, with teachers and classified staff standing side by side, united in their pursuit of fair and reasonable contracts.
A common concern amongst teachers and classified staff attending the event is the need to address disparities in compensation and benefits compared to neighboring districts. By presenting a united front, Bodell and Alverado hoped to send a clear message to the school board: that the needs of Snowline Unified School District employees cannot be ignored.
The “Board-walk” ended with a receiving line formed between the Board of Trustees Chambers and the Boardroom. As the Snowline Board Trustees, Superintendents, and Administrative staff walked through the line, everyone applauded and cheered in appreciation of their ongoing efforts to listen to and acknowledge the concerns raised during this year’s contract negotiations.
After speaking with several participants, it became clear that the employees are focused on providing top-quality education to Snowline’s students while remaining determined to achieve fair and equitable contracts for all the Snowline Unified School District employees. The message printed on the t-shirts all wore sums up the sentiment, “Only The Best For Our Students.”
