We’ve worked hard to retain our amazing educators for decades, but changes by the Little Lake City School District have caused healthcare costs to skyrocket and will drive many of us out of the district. Little Lake educators have been demanding that district leaders address the growing crisis in our district for months. Our educators, students and families deserve a district that invests in the people who show up every day for our kids.

For decades, we have had fully funded healthcare. Now, district management has raised our out-of-pocket costs from zero to $1,400 per month, creating a financial crisis for many of us and our families. For many of us, this means being forced to make impossible choices between the profession we love and the financial stability our families need.

We are also fighting for our Special Education students and keeping smaller class sizes, and the district is making that harder. The District is refusing to support Special Ed classrooms and wants to increase class sizes in exchange for increased health benefits, and we refuse to accept that choice. This would result in layoffs of qualified educators and overcrowded classrooms, leading to unmet student needs. Our educators and our most vulnerable students both deserve better. We are fighting for all of it, because our students deserve nothing less.

We know this is not a money problem; it's a priority problem - today's dollars need to be spent on today's students. Join us as we fight for our students and educators. The time is now.

I am asking you to immediately direct the Superintendent and district management to agree to:

• Fully funded healthcare for all educators, because our health should never be on the table.
• Full support and stability for Special Education students with no compromises.
• Keep class sizes small so every student gets the attention they deserve.
• Prioritize students in every decision made for our kids.

Please act now and urge district management to settle a fair contract that protects our educators and puts students first. Thank you for your support. Together, we will win the schools that all Little Lake students deserve.