KELSEYVILLE — More than 30 teachers, parents and community members hoisted signs and marched along the sidewalk Friday afternoon near the Kelseyville Unified School District (KUSD) office.
Participants said they were showing support for public education and the teachers” union, which is in mediation with the district after contract negotiations reached an impasse in November.
The two sides have their second meeting with the state mediation service set for Thursday.
“It”s just very demoralizing right now for teachers,” Denise Ishihara, a Kelseyville Elementary School teacher, said. “They want us to work harder with less support and cut our benefits as well, and get test scores up.”
Elementary school teachers, along with some supporters, were the first to arrive at the corner of Konocti Road and Main Street in Kelseyville to picket after classes got out for the weekend Friday afternoon, Ishihara said.
Several middle and high school instructors joined after their teaching days ended.
The protesters stood outside of the fence that surrounds the KUSD office, across from Kelseyville High School.
Some drivers honked their horns while others rolled by quietly. Some walking students shouted, some stared and some passed by with little or no acknowledgment.
The district was not aware of the protest until it began, according to KUSD Superintendent Dave McQueen, who was out of the office Friday.
“There”s only so much districts can do in balancing their budgets when the state takes stuff away,” he said during a phone interview.
McQueen added that he was in favor of one of the picketers” messages, saying, “I”m in support of anything that helps us in getting funding for education.”
He wouldn”t comment on negotiation specifics, citing the confidential nature of the ongoing mediation, but did say the disagreement hinges mainly on salaries and benefits.
McQueen said he is “hoping for resolution” after Thursday”s session.
