Fresno Unified School District prepares for a teachers strike

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- It may be Thanksgiving break for Fresno Unified schools, but the district offices are taking advantage of the time to make sure there is no interruption in the event of teachers strike.

FUSD Human Resources, Maria Mazzoni said, "We do want to be ready to keep schools open safe and functional therefore we need to have substitutes available."

3800 teachers could go on strike as they bargain for smaller class sizes, better salaries, benefits, and classroom safety.

Now that the fact-finding process, of contract talks, is over both FUSD and FTA are waiting for a three-person panel to submit their report giving both sides recommendations.

If they do not reach an agreement, the Fresno Teachers Association has the authority to strike with reasonable notice.

The district is trying to prepare a couple thousand substitute teachers, offering them $500 a day, which is about four times their usual pay.

Special circumstance substitutes are going through the new hire orientation teachers are given when starting at FUSD.

Covering everything from board policies to classroom behavior.

"Behavior interventions they can use there are presenters from teacher development," said Mazzoni.

Departments represented cover a variety of topics to ensure subs are as successful as possible.

Should a strike happen the superintendent says the schools will remain open and students still need to be in class.