The real story behind the strike.
As a student of the Natomas Unified School District since kindergarten, the recent events shaking this district have left many parents feeling anxious, worried, and confused, with many questioning how this may impact them or their children. With the district's control over official communication, it is hard to figure out what is actually happening. Using my over 11 years of experience as a student, I have built this page to break down public records and student stories, cutting through the district PR spin, and understand the broader story behind these strikes.
Live Ground Reports
The core dispute
Reported Teacher Demands
The teachers’ union is asking for an increase in salary that keeps up with the cost of living, requesting a 4.5% increase this year, and 4% next year.
More importantly, the union is asking for fully funded healthcare, including the popular Kaiser plan. According to the union, some Natomas educators must pay over $1,700 monthly out-of-pocket for family coverage.
Documented District Offer
According to the district’s negotiation updates, NUSD has offered a total raise of 4% spread over 2 years. For healthcare, they have offered to fund only the Western Health Advantage plan, citing fiscal sustainability.
District claims
Comparative Analysis
"We are making great progress by signing safety and special ed agreements."
Analysis (from Public Record)
Based on the state's Fact-Finding report, the articles regarding Safety and Special Education were already tentatively agreed upon well before the strikes. By reannouncing them now, the district aims to distract from the fact that negotiations on the main issues are entirely stagnant.
"The neutral fact-finder proved we cannot afford union demands."
Analysis (from Public Record)
While it did warn that this may have financial risks, the union's panel member argued the district has the capacity to cover the Kaiser plan entirely, but is choosing to prioritize administrative spending instead.
District Money Sink
Various public records indicate heavy compensation for top executives, granting automatic raises and large financial bonuses.
Estimated March 2026 Data
Robyn Castillo
Superintendent
Angela Herrera
Deputy Superintendent
Douglas Orr
Associate Supt.
The Superintendent’s contract contains a clause for an automatic 3% annual base increase, based on performance reviews.
Top cabinet members receive compounding multipliers of up to 9% based on years of service in the district.
Analysis of 2024 data shows some executive benefit packages exceeding $86,000 annually.
* Union claim: In the PERB report, the NTA asserted that matching admin spending to peer-district averages could free up $3.6M annually.
Source: Analysis of Public Records
The Attendance Loophole
In California, public schools are funded based on the Average Daily Attendance (ADA). According to recent reporting from CBS Sacramento, the district receives around $81 per day for each student from the state, as long as that student shows up and is counted in a seat.
During the strike, the district is coincidentally not paying the daily salaries of the striking teachers. Critics argue this creates a financial dynamic where the district collects state funding for students in 'holding rooms' while simultaneously saving on teacher payroll, reducing the financial pressure to settle the strike.
On-the-ground reality
Direct Student Eyewitness Testimonials
The Environment
While the district claims schools are safe and open, many students who crossed the picket line reported otherwise. Instead of being in classrooms, students were grouped in masses, directed into ‘holding zones’ like the gym or cafeteria all day. According to various students, hundreds of kids were being supervised by just 3 to 4 adults at a time.
While your child may be marked as ‘present’, many accounts suggest no actual education is happening. Instead, students are often forced to complete busywork packets or sit in their seats all day with threats of their phones being confiscated. One student noted that 6th and 11th graders were being handed the same worksheets covering topics at the elementary level.
Academic Impact
The implications of this strike are profound, heavily impacting our academic futures and ruining our hard work. Students on the ground report having zero access to the tools and resources needed to learn. Art students have no means of using their supplies, Science labs, musical instruments, and books are completely off limits.
One student summarized the experience of sitting in the gym all day doing fake packets, labeling it as ‘very restricting’ and a ‘straight useless’ use of time. We students are losing crucial days of education. We need our real teachers back.
The Front Lines
A look at the strike through student lenses. These images capture the reality of life inside holding rooms and on the picket lines.
End the staring contest.
This staring contest has no end in sight. With state funding secured, the district can hold out as long as needed while waiting for the union to blink first. This waiting game is funded by teachers’ salaries and students’ education. Teachers deserve compensation, and students deserve education.