Little Lake teachers move closer to strike after union vote

SANTA FE SPRINGS – 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 took place Thursday afternoon at Lake Center Middle School, where a panel heard 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.

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.

District Superintendent Jonathan Vasquez told City News Service that officials recognize the union's concerns.

"Our teachers and staff are at the heart of our district, and we remain committed to reaching an agreement that reflects their contributions while ensuring the long-term stability of our schools," Vasquez said.

"The District strongly disagrees with the characterization that we are not investing in classrooms or student supports. Our budget reflects ongoing investments in instructional programs, Special Education services, and student interventions. At the same time, we must balance these priorities with our legal obligation to maintain fiscal solvency, including meeting the state- required reserve levels," he added.

Vasquez said the district is participating in the fact-finding process in good faith and faces financial pressures including declining enrollment and rising operational costs, particularly for health care.

He said consultant spending represents a small share of the budget and is used for specialized services and compliance needs, including student transportation and instructional support.