Educators in the Little Lake City School District are moving closer to a possible strike, with 94% of union members voting in favor of a walkout over concerns about rising health care costs, class sizes and student support services, union officials said Thursday.
The district, headquartered in Santa Fe Springs, serves students in portions of Santa Fe Springs, Norwalk and a small part of Downey.
A “fact-finding” hearing was scheduled for Thursday afternoon at Lake Center Middle School, where a panel will hear presentations from both the Little Lake Education Association (LLEA) and district officials in an effort to reach a settlement.
“We will not accept a rollback to inadequate healthcare, overcrowded classrooms and inadequate support for students with disabilities,” LLEA President Maria Pilios said in a statement. “We are united and ready to strike for the resources our students deserve.”
Under state law, teachers could legally strike 48 hours after a fact-finding report is released.
The Little Lake City School District did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Union leaders said educators are facing monthly health care costs of up to $1,400 and raised concerns about larger class sizes and a lack of investment in special education programs. They also criticized the district for allocating about 20% of its budget to outside consultants instead of classroom resources.