Union claims Clovis Unified is violating state law over class size

CLOVIS, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A union that is trying to represent Clovis Unified teachers is claiming the district is breaking the law.

They say the school district is receiving money from the state to lower class sizes for several grade levels, but not actually reducing the number of students in the classroom.

The Association of Clovis Educators (ACE) says Clovis Unified is continuing to put more students in kindergarten through third-grade classrooms even though the district is being paid by the state not to.

“I don’t think there is a parent or a teacher who wants class sizes to be big,” said Kristin Heimerdinger with ACE.

Under California’s Grade Span Adjustment, school districts across the state receive money to keep class sizes on average to 24 students for every teacher.

While that is the rule for the funding, there are exceptions.

School districts can increase the average class size if collectively bargained with the teachers’ union, but Clovis Unified teachers are not a part of a union.

Heimerdinger says the district has passed resolutions with the school board and the faculty senate to increase the size to 27 to 1, even though they do not have the legal authority.

“The district is continuing a practice that was illegal and has been illegal,” Heimerdinger said.

Jennifer Chavera with ACE says the union met with the district to discuss the issue, but felt like their concerns weren’t taken seriously.

“We don’t want anyone to think we want this funding to go away. We’re extraordinarily nervous. We want them to be in compliance,” Chavera said.

YourCentralvalley.com reached out to Clovis Unified, but they declined to comment.