(Graph shows entry level salary range for teachers)
Since the opening of the 2025-26 school year, in August, the approximately 200 teachers and certificated staff of the Sonoma Valley Unified School District have been showing up for work in our four elementary schools, the middle school and the high school, without a contract. That is over six months, in a ten-month year. Of these, approximately 192 certificated staff are members of the Valley of the Moon Teachers Association (VMTA), and this union represents all the teachers in negotiations with the District.
Negotiations for the 2025–26 contract began in August 2025. This timeline was delayed due to the challenges and extended negotiations from last year. The two sides met again September 19, October 30, December 9, and in January. After a three-week hiatus due to vacation by Human Resource Director Kristen Ugrin, the District’s lead negotiator, which was then extended due to sick leave, the District has offered to the VMTA team to resume negotiations on March 12…