GUSTINE — The Gustine Unified School District and the Gustine-Romero Teachers Association (GRTA) have launched negotiations for the 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 school years, marking the first bargaining session of the new cycle on Oct. 13.

GRTA presented proposals addressing key contract areas including leaves, class size, teacher safety, salary, fringe benefits, and extra duties. In response, the district offered a counterproposal that includes a stipend for K–5 teachers whose class sizes exceed 25 students after a two-week grace period. In exchange, the district is seeking to remove current language guaranteeing three hours per week of instructional aide support.

The district also proposed salary and benefit increases for the 2025–2026 through 2027–2028 school years, with a one-time lump sum payment contingent on reaching a multi-year agreement. Additional proposals from the district include revisions to association rights, teacher evaluations, work year calendars, and peer assistance and review procedures.

Negotiations are scheduled to continue on Nov. 3.

The talks follow a history of successful labor agreements between GUSD and its employee unions. In February 2024, the district and GRTA reached a three-year agreement that included a 6.5% salary increase retroactive to July 1, 2023, and a $500 boost to annual health benefits. That contract also added a professional growth day for teachers in 2024–2025.

In June 2025, GUSD finalized a separate three-year agreement with the California School Employees Association (CSEA), Chapter #539, covering classified staff. That deal included annual salary increases tied to the state-funded cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), rising employer contributions to health benefits, and a one-time $2,000 lump sum payment for eligible employees.

District officials say they remain committed to collaborative negotiations and supporting staff while maintaining fiscal responsibility.