Twin Rivers teachers prepare for historic strike in Sacramento County

Schools to stay open with substitute teachers during walkout

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Educators in the Twin Rivers Unified School District in Sacramento County are set to go on strike for the first time in the district's history on Thursday. The district plans to keep schools open during the strike, hiring substitute teachers at higher pay rates. However, some parents say they will keep their children home rather than cross the picket lines.

Why it matters

The strike highlights ongoing tensions between teachers and school districts over issues like pay, benefits, and class sizes. The Twin Rivers district claims it cannot afford the union's demands, while the union argues the district has the funds to address teacher retention and staffing challenges.

The details

The Twin Rivers teachers union is demanding higher pay to stay competitive with neighboring districts, fully covered health care benefits, and smaller class sizes - all issues the union claims have created a retention problem, with the district starting the year with over 100 teacher vacancies. The district says it cannot afford to over-commit its budget, warning that raises leading to layoffs would not actually benefit students.

  • The strike is set to begin on Thursday, March 6, 2026.

The players

Twin Rivers Unified School District

The school district in Sacramento County, California that employs the striking teachers.

Twin Rivers teachers union

The union representing the teachers in the Twin Rivers Unified School District who are going on strike.

Maria Fisher

A parent with two children at Hillsdale Elementary who plans to keep her children home during the strike rather than send them to school.

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What’s next

The district and teachers union will continue negotiations in an effort to reach a deal and avoid a prolonged strike. The school board has approved hiring substitute teachers at higher pay rates to staff classrooms during the walkout.

The takeaway

This strike highlights the ongoing challenges facing school districts and teachers over issues of compensation, benefits, and classroom resources. The willingness of parents to keep their children home shows the community impact of these labor disputes, underscoring the need for both sides to find a resolution that supports students and teachers alike.