Email Campaign Information
OGSD Community Email Ideas to Support Oak Grove Students & Educators
Thank you for standing with Oak Grove educators and students! Your support makes a real difference for our students and teachers. You can support us by sending an email, joining us at the next Board Meeting (December 11), and/or speaking during public comment. You can show your support by telling the Board of Trustees and our Superintendent why it is time to settle a fair contract now. Below you have several suggestions:
- Talking Points - if you would like to draft your own email or speak at the next Board Meeting, here are some talking points to help.
- Sample Emails - If you would like to copy and paste a short email, use one of the samples sorted by topic.
- Click & Send Email - If you want to make it really easy and click and send an email, click here (or scroll down for more information)
- If you send one email to all members at the same time, they do not have to respond.
- If you would like a better chance at getting a response, send a separate email to each member (copy and paste).
Emails:
Board President Nancy Yue nyue@ogsd.net
Board Vice President Frances Herbert fherbert@ogsd.net
Trustee Otila Salazar otorres@ogsd.net
Trustee Diego Martinez dmartinez@ogsd.net
Trustee Kaushik C. Joglekar kcjoglekar@ogsd.net
Superintendent Dr. Ivan Chaidez ichaidez@ogsd.net
OGEA Organizing Team organizing.ogea@gmail.com
1. Talking Points
A Fair 6% Raise Supports Students
A 6% increase is a fair, reasonable request in one of the most expensive counties in the Bay Area. As a parent, I know that keeping excellent teachers in our classrooms gives students the stability and continuity they need to thrive.
Our District Has the Resources to Support Students Now
With $67 million in reserves—far above what the state requires—Oak Grove can invest in its educators without jeopardizing long-term financial health. Our children deserve to benefit from those resources today, not years down the road.
Teacher Pay Directly Affects Student Learning
When teachers can’t afford to stay, turnover rises. Every time we lose an experienced educator, students lose trusted relationships and valuable learning time. Fair compensation helps keep classrooms consistent and strong.
We Are Falling Behind Neighboring Districts
Oak Grove is among the lowest paying districts in the area. This makes it harder to recruit and keep the high-quality teachers our students depend on. Nearby districts offering fairer wages are drawing away talented educators—and our kids feel that impact most.
The Cost of Living Is Pushing Teachers Away From Our Kids
It’s unacceptable that many educators can’t afford to live anywhere near the schools where they teach. A modest 6% raise helps teachers stay close to their students, their school communities, and the relationships that help children succeed.
Budgets Show What We Value for Our Students
A district’s budget is a reflection of its priorities. Supporting educators isn’t just a financial choice—it’s a values-based commitment to our children. When teachers are supported, students learn in healthier, more stable environments.
Students Deserve Stronger Classroom Conditions
Smaller class sizes, adequate prep time, and stable staffing all make a real difference in student learning and well-being. Fair pay helps ensure teachers can focus on what matters most—supporting and teaching our children.
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2. Sample Emails
Re: Budgets Reflect Our Values
Dear Board Members,
Every budget is a reflection of what we value for our children. As you review district priorities, I urge you to consider whether current spending truly supports our shared goal of putting students first. Parents see the impact when classrooms lack updated technology, current materials, or enough support staff—our kids feel those gaps every day.
Supporting educators with a fair 6% raise and ensuring classrooms have adequate resources is not just a financial choice—it’s a commitment to our students’ well-being and success. In one of the most expensive counties in California, it’s deeply concerning that Oak Grove remains among the lowest in teacher pay. This makes it harder to attract and keep the dedicated professionals who shape our children’s learning and future.
Our students deserve a district budget that reflects their needs, their growth, and their potential.
____________________________________________________________________________
Re: Put District Reserves to Work for Students
Dear Board Members,
Our district is currently holding $67 million in reserves—far more than what the state recommends. As a parent, I believe those funds were collected to support today’s students, not to sit untouched in an account. Our children need those resources now, and one of the most meaningful ways to use them is by supporting the educators who show up for our kids every day.
Using a portion of these reserves to meet the modest 6% compensation proposal is a reasonable, responsible investment in students’ learning conditions. When teachers can afford to live and work in this high-cost area, our children benefit from stable relationships, experienced educators, and consistent classrooms.
It’s time to put these dollars to work where they matter most: in our schools, supporting the students and staff who make learning possible.
___________________________________________________________________________
Re: Investing in Educators Strengthens Schools
Dear Board Members,
Competitive compensation isn’t about increasing costs—it’s about investing in the stability and quality of our children’s education. When Oak Grove falls behind neighboring districts in pay, we lose experienced teachers, and turnover grows. Our students feel that loss immediately. They notice when a trusted teacher doesn’t come back the next year, and parents see those familiar, supportive adults replaced by new faces again and again, especially in our most vulnerable communities.
A 6% increase is a fair, necessary step to stay competitive in one of the most expensive counties in our state. It’s troubling that our district remains among the lowest-paying, because that directly affects our ability to recruit and keep the teachers our students rely on every day.
A fair contract isn’t just about supporting educators—it’s about ensuring every student has access to experienced, consistent teaching and a stable classroom where they can learn and feel secure.
____________________________________________________________________________
Re: Fair Working Conditions Mean Better Learning Conditions
Dear Board Members,
As a parent, I want to focus on what matters most—our children’s learning and well-being. Smaller class sizes, reasonable workloads, and adequate preparation time make a real difference in classroom environments. When a teacher has 24 students in the primary grades or 30+ in the upper grades, it means less one-on-one support for struggling readers, fewer small-group lessons, and more stress for both students and teachers.
Educators aren’t asking for luxury—they are asking for the conditions that allow them to give every child the attention and support they deserve. A 6% salary adjustment helps ensure teachers can afford to stay in our community and continue nurturing our students. Fair pay and fair working conditions are not just about teachers—they are essential for student success.
_________________________________________________________________________
3. Click & Send Email
If you have a gmail account, you can simply click this icon: on the top left of the document below and the email will be composed for you. You can edit the body of the email or simply just change the signature to your information - see the yellow highlighted area. Please note, this feature only works on a computer (not on a mobile device) BUT you can still copy and paste the body of the email into your own email draft.
Don’t have a personal gmail account? You can still copy and paste the body of the email into your own email draft.
Thank you for supporting Oak Grove students and educators!