Impasse has been declared in negotiations between representatives of the Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) and its bargaining unit partners, the Ventura Education Support Professionals Association (VESPA) and the Ventura Unified Education Association (VUEA).

After months of negotiation sessions, summaries of which are on our 2025-2026 Negotiations webpage, impasse was declared by all parties (VUSD, VUEA and VESPA) on May 7, 2026, when the gap between the parties could not be bridged through continued discussion. The matter will now move to mediation where a neutral third-party mediator will be appointed by the California Public Employee Relations Board (PERB), a neutral third party that will help guide conversations toward a solution.

Negotiators representing the Ventura Unifies School District and VUEA and VESPA have reached tentative agreements on all issues except total compensation (both VUEA and VESPA) and Article 19 (LAYOFF, REEMPLOYMENT, AND EFFECTS RELATED THERETO) for VESPA.

“The impasse process calls for mediation with a neutral party, and we are committed to working through this process towards our goal of reaching an agreement, because that is what is best for our students,” said Marieanne Quiroz, Public Information Officer.

The District’s last proposal includes a 2% salary increase for all employees, along with the implementation of a cost-sharing model that includes no cost options, for health and welfare benefits beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. The unions’ counterproposal is to maintain the current structure, with no salary increase and no employee cost-sharing for health and welfare benefits.  

“Our Board believes our employees deserve compensation that allows them to live in the community where they work and we continue to be committed to moving in that direction,” said Quiroz.  “Beyond salary, we are actively exploring affordable workforce housing on surplus District property, a plan our Board has dedicated significant time and resources to developing.”

The District also faces ongoing financial pressures, including declining enrollment driven by lower birth rates, which reduces state funding, along with rising costs for transportation, food, and benefits that have outpaced state and federal revenue.

“We believe public education should be fully funded so that situations like these can be avoided,” said Dr. Antonio Castro, Superintendent. “We need to work together, locally to resolve our current budgetary issues and long-term at the state and federal level.  Working together we can continue moving the needle on compensation while also ensuring the fiscal stability of this district for the students in our classrooms today and tomorrow.”

Impasse does not mean negotiations have ended. The District remains focused on reaching a fair, sustainable agreement through the mediation process, with students at the center of every decision.

For more information, visit the District’s Negotiations 2025-26 webpage, https://www.venturausd.org/staff-careers/negotiations-25-26 .

Media Contact
Marieanne Quiroz
Public Information Officer
marieanne.quiroz@venturausd.org