Parents and union urge Orange Unified to shore up Mandarin immersion and raise teacher pay amid staffing exodus

Parents and union leaders used public comment at the Orange Unified School District board meeting to press the board and human resources for concrete steps to keep teachers and sustain the district’s Mandarin Immersion Program.

Parent speakers said Mandarin immersion at Fletcher and other sites is losing students and staff because the district is not competitive on compensation or immigration assistance. "Our MIP teachers do not currently have the resources and support they need to effectively teach and meet the requirements of a rigorous biliteracy program," said Jennifer Greenwalt, who said parents request three actions: help with immigration paperwork, competitive compensation and signing bonuses or stipends, and hiring additional Mandarin aides. Greenwalt said Fletcher currently has "just 1 and a half Mandarin aides shared between seven grade levels" and that MIP teachers recommended hiring at least one aide per two grade levels.

James Langston, a Fletcher parent, told trustees he and his family moved into the district for the immersion program and urged the district to be more aggressive in recruiting and retaining Mandarin teachers, including exploring H‑1B and green-card support.

Greg Delander, president of the Orange Unified Education Association, asked the board to direct its bargaining team to present a competitive compensation proposal, saying the district "is sitting on reserves significantly higher than neighboring districts" and urging the board to invest in staff. "Investing in compensation is investing in students," he said, noting bargaining has proceeded since April 2023.

Several other speakers — including longtime teachers — described long-term pay gaps and a staff exodus, calling for the board to prioritize pay and working conditions for certificated staff, counselors, nurses and other specialists.

Board members and staff acknowledged the concerns. Staff said they are engaged in bargaining and that some discussions about I‑Ready grading and instructional supports are underway; they also said HR and the district are preparing application and recruitment efforts for hard-to-fill positions. The board did not adopt an immediate compensation package at the meeting but heard repeated calls to direct bargaining and to provide specific supports for Mandarin teachers and classroom aides.