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Kirsten Vital

Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) Superintendant Kirsten Vital and Alameda Education Association (AEA) President Gray Harris have taken to the print medium to tell their sides of the stalemate between the groups.

"No one can remember a time when Alameda's teachers have ever rejected a tentatively agreed-upon contract," Harris stated in his missive. "It is important to explain how this occurred. AUSD refuses to bargain."

Vital did not see bargaining as a way to agreement. "The only way to reach agreement was through compromise," she writes in her letter.

"After many hours of work... we all compromised and all signed the agreement." Vital states that she hopes that the teachers will reconsider. "We are hearing from parents and other community members, teachers might have an opportunity to reconsider and vote again on the tentative agreement after its spring break."

Harris stated in his letter that it comes down to trust. "The teachers do not trust this administration, and they do not like the direction our district is heading."