2025 FUSD Budget Deficits Update

By Staff Writers Rajorshi Chatterjee, Novak Chen, Kaiwei Parks & Cham Yu

FUSD and FUDTA have been engaged in negotiations for a new contract since January 2024, and all efforts at compromise have been at an impasse since November 2024. Mediation by a third-party mediator, appointed by the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), has been unable to resolve disagreements on wages, class size, and other issues, resulting in the possibility of a strike occurring as soon as late April. As of April 9, both parties failed to reach an agreement during the April 7th fact-finding hearing, and FUDTA may legally strike after the fact-finding report is made public on April 15. The Smoke Signal compiled a timeline outlining important events during the negotiations as of April 2025.

2025 FUSD Budget Deficits Update

April 16, 2025

The PERB-appointed arbitrator is expected to have released their fact-finding report to the public. According to FUSD, both parties must meet and confer within 10 days after the report is issued. FUDTA disputes the claim and contends that a strike may be initiated after FUSD imposes its final best offer.

April 8, 2025

FUSD Superintendent Larsen announces that schools were to remain open even if a strike is to occur.

April 7, 2025

The PERB-appointed arbitrator held a fact-finding hearing between FUSD and FUDTA, during which both sides presented arguments for their negotiation targets. The parties were unable to negotiate a compromise.

March 26, 2025

A record number of FUDTA members voted to authorize the executive board to call a strike if deemed necessary, by an overwhelming margin of 93%.

February 26, 2025

FUSD Board of Education unanimously appoints Zach Larsen as the new FUSD superintendent, following the resignation of former Superintendent Erik Burmeister.

February 6, 2025

FUDTA and FUSD are engaged in the last mediation meeting as negotiations move to the fact-finding phase.

January 6, 2025

Proposed budget reduction is revised down from $30 million to $24.7 million.

November 18, 2024

FUSD and FUDTA agree to Article 9 – Transfers, allowing long-term substitutes to be hired. Both parties jointly declared an impasse, and the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) soon appointed a mediator that will begin facilitating mediation efforts. Mediation meetings are confidential.

October 25, 2024

FUSD and FUDTA agree to Article 30 – Public Complaints, shortening the complaint process to four steps after lobbying efforts from the Mission Possible Parent Faculty Association (MPPFA).

June 30, 2024

The existing three-year contract expires. FUDTA teachers are still not under a contract as of April 2025.