Arguing that the "stress of poverty" has a toxic effect on children's developing brains, COPS / Metro leaders stormed a San Antonio Independent School District Board meeting asking for wage raises for the lowest paid district workers, including bus drivers and cafeteria workers, to at least $13 per hour. A low wage job, said Maria Tijerina, "undermines a child's ability to learn."

Cafeteria manager Vanita Rodriguez spoke on behalf of her employees, revealing that every one she works with holds down at least two jobs to make ends meet. As the parent of 7 and the grandparent of 24, most of which are SAISD students, she knows that poverty hampers children's capacity to learn. COPS/Metro joined forces with the San Antonio Alliance of Teachers and Support Personnel to raise this issue with the School Board and met with all 7 trustees prior to the board meeting.

In response to COPS / Metro, SAISD Board President Patti Radle affirmed that "We are together on this. This board is anxious to pay decent wages to our employees."

If the effort succeeds, over 2,000 SAISD employees will be impacted by the raise.

Give School Employees a Living Wage, San Antonio Express News (Editorial)

SAISD to Consider Raising Minimum Wage for District Employees, Rivard Report

School Workers Begin Campaign for a Living Wage, San Antonio Express-News

SAISD Employees Demonstrate, Speak Out for Wage Increases, KENS 5

SAISD Support Staff Wants $13 / Hour living Wage, KSAT 12

San Antonio Success Depends on SAISD Success, San Antonio Express-News