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The following negotiations announcement was sent to MDEA members and Adult Education staff on May 11, 2026:

MDUSD & MDEA REACH TENTATIVE AGREEMENT FOR ADULT EDUCATION CERTIFICATED EMPLOYEES
 

30% Salary Increase for 2025-2026
100% Health Benefits for Eligible Employees

MAY 11, 2026

The Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) is pleased to announce that a tentative three-year agreement (2025-2026 through 2027-2028) has been reached with the Mt. Diablo Education Association (MDEA) on a new contract article to incorporate Adult Education certificated employees into the existing MDEA bargaining unit.

After nine (9) negotiation sessions, the parties reached a tentative agreement that provides employees with a thirty (30%) percent salary increase retroactive to July 1, 2025, along with 100% medical benefits for eligible employees. The agreement also ties future salary increases for the 2026 2027 and 2027-2028 school years to the already agreed-upon collective bargaining agreement between MDEA and the District. This will continue with subsequent agreements between MDEA and the District.

TENTATIVE AGREEMENT FOR ADULT EDUCATION CERTIFICATED INSTRUCTORS

Certificated Instructors	Current Rate	Tentative Agreement
Step 1 Less than 1050 hours	$33.62/hr	$43.71/hr
Step 2 1050 hours to 2099 hours	$35.34/hr	$45.94/hr
Step 3 2100 hours to 3149 hours	$38.05/hr	$49.47/hr
Step 4 3150 hours or more	$41.36/hr	$53.77/hr

 

TENTATIVE AGREEMENT FOR ADULT EDUCATION CERTIFICATED COORDINATORS

Coordinators	Current Rate	Tentative Agreement
Step 1 Less than 1050 hours	$43.71/hr	$56.82/hr
Step 2 1050 hours to 2099 hours	$44.30/hr	$57.59/hr
Step 3 2100 hours to 3149 hours	$44.75/hr	$58.18/hr
Step 4 3150 hours or more	$45.17/hr	$58.72/hr
Step 5 7360 hours or more (year 5)	$45.75/hr	$59.48/hr

 

We want to thank both bargaining teams from MDUSD and MDEA for the hard work put into these negotiations. The tentative agreement will now go before MDEA members for ratification and then to the MDUSD Governing Board for approval. Both sides have agreed to recommend ratification and adoption of the full agreement.

This agreement continues our commitment to adult learning and achievement, fiscal responsibility, positive labor relations, and long-term stability, while striving to offer competitive compensation and a positive working environment for all employees. 

We look forward to continuing our work together with MDEA to provide the best possible educational experience for every student in Mt. Diablo Unified School District.

Sincerely, 

The District Negotiations Team

Ryan Sheehy, Chief, Human Resources
Samantha Allen, Chief, Education Services
Adrian Vargas, Chief Business Officer
Leanee Medina Estrada, Executive Director, Human Resources & Risk Management
Gustavo Aguilera, Executive Director, Fiscal Services
Kesha Emmendorfer, Director, Human Resources
Elaine Alvite, Director, College, Career, and Adult Education 
Gregory J. Dannis, Legal Counsel

 

 

 

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

• Our four MDUSD Classified Employees of the Year, Violeta Tria, FNS Driver and Warehouse Attendant in Food and Nutrition Services, who was also honored as a Contra Costa County Classified Employee of the Year; MaryAnne Brescia, Secretary at Highlands Elementary School; Kim Montano, Special Education Assistant at Riverview Middle School; and Shannon Bortorff, Lead Campus Supervisor at Northgate High School;
• The Willie Mims Excellence Awards;
• Northgate High School senior Denise Castillo-Perez distributed menstrual products to Oak Grove Middle School 6th-8th grade girls and presented an educational slideshow as part of her senior project;
• Ygnacio Valley High School junior Joseph Pongia was recognized by the Concord Police Department and Marathon Petroleum Corporation for his resilience and academic growth;
• Concord High School is proud to publish the fourth edition of GLYPH, its student literary and art magazine featuring student art, photography, poems, stories, essays, and myths;
• Northgate High School earned an Honorable Mention in the State Civic Learning Awards;
• Northgate High School Animation students get a behind-the-scenes experience at The Art and Science of Lucasfilm;
• School and Staff Social Media Highlights;
• And more!

Read it here.

 

The MDUSD District Office (Dent Center) has joined the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone system, along with 10 other District sites (see flyers).

To reach VoIP sites, call 925-682-8000. All phone extensions at Dent are now 5 digits. Please verify new extensions before calling.

To reach sites that have not yet transitioned to VoIP, call their local number, which can be found on their school website. 

If you are experiencing difficulties reaching a school, please call 925-682-8000 to connect with the receptionist.

 

Students from all five MDUSD comprehensive high schools participated in the 2026 MDUSD "Campus to Commerce" Career Pathways Showcase on April 30 at John Muir Health in Concord, displaying photos, equipment and samples of their work and speaking to visitors about what they are learning. During the event, three students participated in a panel discussion about the value of the District's career pathways programs along with three internship providers from local businesses.

The participating Career Pathways programs included: Art and Digital Media, and Biomedical Science at College Park HS; Art & Digital Media, Photography, Construction and Engineering, and Transportation at Concord HS; Art & Digital Media, Engineering, Patient Care, and a Culinary pathway at Mt. Diablo HS; Art & Digital Media including animation and photography at Northgate HS; and Education, Engineering, and Health Care at Ygnacio Valley HS. 

The student panelists were MDHS Patient Care Pathway student Armando Soto, Northgate HS Animation student Yuna Ko and YVHS Engineering student Althea Vivar. Armando, a sophomore, said he has appreciated the internship and training opportunities he has received, which have strengthened his interest in healthcare. He has worked as a paid intern for MDHS teacher Dr. David Pintado's East Bay CPR organization, and has provided sports medicine care to MDHS athletes at games. Althea, a junior, said business partners such as Bishop-Wisecarver and Marathon help make the pathways more "real" by showing students engineering in action and providing resources to students, as well as providing role models for career options. Yuna, a sophomore, said her animation class taught her skills that helped her to earn national recognition at the 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, receiving both a National Gold Medal and the prestigious Best-in-Grade Award/Scholarship for her comic book, Daltokki ex Machina. She said the animation pathway provides computer technology, technical certifications and real world experience that helped her to understand the workflow of an animator. 

Students showcasing their programs at display booths were also enthusiastic about the in-depth career education they are receiving. College Park HS Graphic Design Pathway student Amir Jones-Bey said he has created a portfolio in his Advanced Art class that includes post cards, stickers, music posters and coffee shop marketing materials. The portfolio can be used in college applications and job interviews and the skills he learned will benefit him if he pursues art as a career or a hobby, he said. Teacher Zach Sesar said students earn Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator certifications, which are helpful in project management careers. Concord HS Graphic Design teacher David Hevel said pathway students also earn college credits through a partnership with Diablo Valley College (DVC), which inspires them to continue onto college after graduation. Mt. Diablo HS culinary students Christian Para-Torrres, Xavier Navarro and Josue Morales said they are enjoying learning more about cooking, which will benefit them in life, as well as in restaurant careers if they choose to pursue them. MDHS Engineering students Jacob Aba and Carlos Wence said their courses are preparing them for careers as engineers or architects, and they enjoy the hands-on experience they are getting using a land surveyor tool, as well as other technical tools. 

Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark and industry partners said MDUSD and internship mentors are working to teach students technical skills needed to pursue careers, as well as "soft skills," such as showing up on time, being able to work with diverse people, and critical problem-solving. Partnering with MDUSD and the local Workforce Development Board gives employers an opportunity to help shape the future workforce, while giving students valuable exposure to real life careers. "This really shows what is possible when a school district, health system, community college system, chamber of commerce and workforce development agency work together," Dr. Clark said.

Click to watch a reel highlighting the event.

 

This week's Friday Letter spotlights:

• Campus to Commerce Career Pathways Student Showcase at John Muir Health in Concord;
• Seal of Biliteracy Celebration at Ygnacio Valley High School;
• Northgate High School freshman Anulika Mishra performs National Anthem on violin at Little League event in Walnut Creek;
• Northgate High School 10th grade World History students hear from Holocaust survivor in recognition of Holocaust Remembrance Day;
• Shore Acres Elementary celebrates Dia del Niño, Children's Day;
• Diablo View MS and Pleasant Hill MS received their CA Distinguished School Awards;
• Concord HS Thrift Pop-Up Shop and Mental Health Month activities;
• Earth Day Celebration at the Rio Vista Elementary Garden in partnership with Growing Healthy Kids;
• School and Staff Social Media Highlights;
• And more!

Read it online.

 

MDUSD is proud that four of our schools participate in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, which stresses an international education focused on developing inquiry skills, critical thinking skills, confidence building, communication skills, global mindfulness, risk-taking and caring among student learners. Students and staff members from Monte Gardens and Sequoia elementary schools, Oak Grove Middle School and Ygnacio Valley HS presented an update on their programs to the District Governing Board on Wednesday, April 22. 

Monte Gardens Elementary student Isabella (pictured fifth from right below) told the Board she was inspired to enter the Concord Mayor's Art contest because her school's IB Learner Profile Attributes include being "risk-takers." She ended up winning the Elementary Grade Level Award. 

Sequoia Elementary students spoke about their UN Sustainable Development “lines of inquiry” exploring issues affecting the world including clean energy, ending hunger, and resource consumption. Their teacher Kim Ovadia invited the Board and community to the Sequoia Elementary 5th Grade IB Exhibition at 9 a.m. Friday, May 15 (see flyer).

Oak Grove MS students presented the animal shelter display board (pictured below) that they created for their Community Project, explaining that the local shelter is struggling due to limited resources. They said the project helped them to develop teamwork skills, as they shared in the responsibilities, as well as IB traits including communication, and being open-minded, knowledgable and caring. 

Ygnacio Valley HS students said they enjoyed connecting with high school students in Marietta, Georgia through an IB "exchange" program, which they found to be reassuring, as well as inspiring. They also connect with Oak Grove MS students by tutoring them in math to help build their problem-solving skills. And they were proud to announce that their program is growing, with a 75% increase in students who are IB Diploma candidates this year, including some who have been accepted to UC Berkeley, Cal Poly, University of Oregon, and Saint Louis University in Madrid, Spain.

Superintendent Dr. Adam Clark praised the students, saying the inquiry and project-based IB program provides them with excellent skills that will benefit them as adults. Board President Debra Mason also complimented the group, saying she looks forward to attending the IB Gala at Ygnacio Valley HS every year.

MDUSD International Baccalaureate (IB) program students and staff from Monte Gardens and Sequoia elementary schools, Oak Grove MS and Ygnacio Valley HS stand with Superintendent Dr. Clark and Board Members after their presentations on April 22, 2026.

 

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

• Students and staff from Monte Gardens and Sequoia elementary schools, along with Oak Grove Middle School and Ygnacio Valley High School, presented to the Board on the International Baccalaureate (IB) program;
• El Dorado Middle School sixth grader Pablo Cabrera, Foothill Middle School eighth grader Claire Cho, and Pleasant Hill Middle School seventh grader Soraya Dang were recently honored as “Rising Star” Youth Hall of Fame award recipients by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors;
• Mt. Diablo High School senior Destiny Benitez Gomez and Concord High School senior Mia Garcia Arce participated in the CalNEW Community of Practice Convening in Sacramento as Newcomer Student Leaders;
• Northgate HS Sophomore Senulya Senarath earned second place in the Math and Computer Science category at the Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair at Los Medanos College for her project exploring renal decline as a predictor of cognitive impairment and Northgate HS Junior Russell Mitchell earned fourth place in the Engineering Science category for his work on optimizing sound transmission using 3D-printed acoustic filters;
• El Dorado MS students produced a news segment featuring members of the construction team working on campus upgrades;
• Hidden Valley Elementary held a fun Multicultural Festival;
• Ygnacio Valley High counselors hosted the Second Annual Senior Wellness Day;
• Northgate High School’s Advanced Art students collaborated with muralist Arsenio Baca to design and create a mural that will serve as the centerpiece of a new Senior Courtyard;
• Superintendent Dr. Clark was interviewed in the "Superintendent Hot Seat” podcast;
• School and Staff Social Media Highlights;
• And more!

Read it here.

 

As end-of-the-year prom and graduation seasons approach, MDUSD schools and local emergency responders want to be sure high school juniors and seniors celebrate in safe and responsible ways. In an effort to prevent deaths or injuries related to drinking and driving, Concord Police, Contra Costa fire and sheriff's departments and other local agencies, businesses and organizations collaborated with Concord High School on April 14-15 to present the dramatic "Every 15 Minutes" program, which simulated a fatal DUI traffic collision involving a student drunk driver near the football field. The program included more than a dozen "living dead" students who were absent from their classrooms, replaced by flowers and obituaries. These students were separated from their families and classmates for one day and night to demonstrate the impact of lives cut short by drunk driving. The program's name reflects the statistic that every 15 minutes, someone in the United States dies in an alcohol-related traffic collision.

On the first day of the two-day event, firefighters and paramedics extricated injured students from crashed cars using the jaws-of-life, treated them, and transported them to a hospital via a REACH helicopter. The coroner arrived to remove a student pronounced "dead" at the scene, whose anguished mother looked on. And a Police Officer administered a sobriety test and arrested student Roxanna Lara, who played the role of the "drunk driver.”

On the second day, the program culminated with a mock memorial service for the "dead" students, which started with a video showing the students partying before drinking and driving, a recap of the simulation on the football field, the "drunk driver" being booked into jail by police, and hospital footage of one student dying, another being treated for injuries, and their parents grappling with their grief as medical professionals explain what happened to their children. The video produced for the program contains images and situations that may be disturbing to viewers. Parental discretion is advised to view the video. 

The second day also featured guest speakers including a Concord Police representative who explained the importance of not drinking and driving and who asked those who have been impacted by a drunk driver or who knew someone who had to stand. It also included obituaries and tombstones in the campus courtyard remembering those who "died." 

CHS Sophomore Arjen Swift, who performed "Amazing Grace" on baritone saxophone for the Memorial Service, did not attend the mock traffic collision because it was for juniors and seniors. But he did feel the loss of his "living dead" classmates, when police officers walked into his classrooms and announced that they had died. "I was very relieved to find out that they had not died," he said, adding that he would like to participate in the program when he is a senior, if possible, because it was very effective in making students aware of the impacts of drunk driving.

The emotional and gut-wrenching simulations and real-life horror stories challenged students to think about driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and the importance of good decision making by allowing them to experience first-hand the sensations of being involved in a tragic, alcohol-related driving fatal collision, or being impacted by the loss of their friends and classmates.

Thank you to the California Highway Patrol, which helps fund and provide education for the program, as well as all the local emergency responders, hospital personnel, volunteers, parents, students and staff, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), who made this program possible. View a short reel highlighting the event.

College Park HS held a similar Every 15 Minutes program last month in partnership with the Pleasant Hill Police Department and other agencies. 

 

This week's MDUSD Friday Letter spotlights:

• The Every 15 Minutes program at Concord High School,
• Adult Education Week is April 19 through 25,
• Ygnacio Valley High School senior Keny Seb Coy named a finalist for the 2026 ACSA Region 6 Every Student Succeeding Award,
• Northgate High School junior Symone Jewell earns state and national Wrestling recognitions, and the 2026 Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors' Youth Hall of Fame award, along with recognition from Congressman John Garamendi;
• Students from Oak Grove Middle School and El Dorado Middle School compete in a Math Tournament at UC Berkeley,
• Mt. Diablo High School senior Mischa Caluma publishes an article explaining a new state law granting admission access to 16 California State University campuses,
• Ygnacio Valley HS and College Park HS robotics teams compete in regional championship,
• School Social Media Highlights,
• And more!

Read The Friday Letter.