December 17, 1999
By Daniel H. Muñoz
It was cold outside. The colorfully
decorated homes, across the street, only served as a reminder
of the things that needed to be done to prepare for the holidays.
School work was stacked up. Yet, hundreds of teachers and community
members (estimates ranged as high as 600) took the time to demonstrate
their dissatisfaction with the Sweetwater Union High School District
Board of Trustees latest contract proposal.
Working without a contract since June 30th, the teachers held an informational picket at the school board meeting this past Tuesday (December 14) to demonstrate their commitment to what they feel is a fair contract.
"The school board has offered a 3.44% COLA (cost of living allowance) raise," stated Chuck Patterson, president of the Sweetwater Education Association representing the teachers in the negotiations, "but it is about more than just that. We are far apart on issues such as school safety, class size reduction, benefits package, as well as a pay increase."
School safety is high on the educators' list, sighting the recent school shootings as evidence to address the very real need for school safety.
"There are no phones in the classrooms and we can only point to the Columbine High incident where a teacher's cell phone played a role in the tragedy." Patterson continued, "On the weekends when teachers are working, there are no onsite administrators, which means that, if there is an emergency, the teachers have to go off campus to find a phone."
Patterson noted that the school
board is holding back on the school safety issue and is promising
to address this issue once the bond measure, on this upcoming
November ballot, passes - hopefully.
Many of the teachers' picket signs stated that the contract was about the kids. Among the issues being discussed is class size reduction which Patterson states in some class rooms reaches as high as 40 students and to reach those students who are not meeting the standards, class sizes need to be reduced. The last point of discussion is a better benefits package for the teachers.
But the primary issue, as with most contract negotiations, is the salary increase. The school board has offered a 3.44% cost of living increase, while the teachers association is seeking a 7% pay increase.
What particularly galls the teachers association was the recent pay raise given to Superintendent Ed Brand. "While the school board has been saying they don't have the money for a 7% increase, they have enough money to give Superintendent Brand a 12% compensation package (in August), which includes a pay raise, unlimited credit card, a car, mileage, cell phone, a tax shelter annuity and a premium life insurance policy," stated Patterson. "Brand has received a pay raise every year since he has been hired and his recent 12% hike is much higher than the 7% we are asking for."
In contrast to the Sweet-water teachers seeking a 7% pay increase, the Los Angeles teachers union is seeking an immediate 6% pay raise and plans to seek a 15% pay raise when their contract expires in June 2000.
The teachers union reports that the budget at Sweetwater is up 11% percent over last years budget. And that the district is sitting on a $17 million operational fund that the district is keeping in reserve for emergencies.
Attempts to reach a school board member failed, as of press time.
Return to Frontpage