Message from Superintendent Jerry Jennex - October 13, 2025

October 13, 2025
Dear Students, Staff, Families, and Friends of TJUSD,

We’re well into autumn, and the weather has finally started to cool down here in Trona. I’m grateful for that and I hope most of you are too! I wanted to take a couple of minutes to give the TJUSD community an update on employee contract negotiations here in our school system. 

Just this past Thursday, October 9, 2025, the TJUSD school board approved collective bargaining agreements with the Trona Teachers Association (TTA) and the Trona Classified Employees Association (TCEA). I want to share some of the financial highlights of the settlements with each group. 

For the teachers (TTA):

1. Pay increase of 3% for 2024-2025 (retroactive); 2.5% for 2025-2026; and 2.5% for 2026-2027. In 2024-2025, each teacher will receive $1200 off-schedule (retroactive). In 2026-2027 each teacher will receive an additional .5% increase if Cost of Living Average (COLA) is above 3%; an additional 1% increase if COLA is above 3.5%.

2. An increase of out of contract daily pay rate from $455 per day to $480 per day. 

3. An increase of $50 per unit on the extra duty schedule (from $750 per unit to $800 per unit).

4. An increase in classroom supplies allowance from $500 per teacher to $1000 per teacher (to be spent on supplies and materials for classroom use. 

For the classified staff (TCEA): 

1. A pay increase of $1.50 per hour for 2024-2025 (retroactive). 

2. A pay increase of $1.25 per hour for 2025-2026. 

3. A pay increase of $1.25 per hour for 2026-2027. 

4. An increase of $10 per month per longevity band. For example: an employee who has worked in the district for 5 years will receive an additional $10 per month going from $50 per month to $60 per month. 

There were also many clarifications made to the contact language and give and take from both the bargaining unit perspective and the district perspective. Thanks to all of our bargaining unit reps and district reps as we worked through to settlement. It is a positive thing in our district to have contracts settled in advance. I look forward to working together with our employees as we strive to “Educate, Empower, and Engage” All of our students.

There will be a Special Board Meeting to Approve AB 1200 Document, Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 4 PM. For more information on this document, click AB 1200

Thanks for your time. I welcome any questions. My number is 760-372-2803. Go Tornadoes and Twisters!

Jerry Jennex, Superintendent