The Abridged version:

Educators across Natomas Unified School District are not in the classroom Tuesday, as they begin day one of the district’s first-ever teacher strike.

Sticking points between the district and union include salary raises, health care coverage and class sizes.

As first bells rang across Natomas Unified School District Tuesday morning, thousands of students reported to class without a teacher.

Educators in the North Sacramento school district began day one of their strike. Over a year of negotiations has failed to bring district officials and union representatives to a deal. Sticking points include salary raises, health care coverage and class sizes.

Natomas is the second district to go on strike in the area in less than a week. Twin Rivers Unified hit day four of its teacher strike Tuesday morning, though there is some optimism with another bargaining meeting set for later in the day.

There are roughly 16,000 students in Natomas Unified.

Negotiations hit a wall

Among teachers’ demands are salary increases they say are long overdue, along with 100% district-funded health care coverage. More competitive pay, plus smaller class sizes, educators say would help with retention.

The district has offered a 4% raise over two years and fully paid health benefits. But the union is calling for 4.5% raise this school year and 4% the next. And leaders said the health benefits offer “is a start” but they want to see the district pay for the more expensive Kaiser plan that more members use.

Local elected officials said they were disappointed by the stalled bargaining, in a letter to the district superintendent and school board president.

“As those who represent the community served by Natomas Unified, we strongly support the best education possible for families in our community,” Democratic Assemblymember Maggy Krell, former state Sen. Richard Pan and Sacramento County Office of Education Trustee Mariana Corona Sabeniano wrote.

Savannah Kuchar is a reporter covering education. She came to Sacramento to be a part of the Abridged team and contribute to a crucial local news source.