Teachers, school district begin negotiations

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District officially began negotiations with the Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers Tuesday night.

The school board received an initial collective-bargaining proposal from the teachers union and approved its initial offering for next school year’s contract.

“The next two items really officially kick off the negotiating season,” said John Caldecott, executive director of human resources.

The proposals laid out broad strokes of core issues the two sides will hash out over the negotiating period.

The teachers’ current agreement expires June 30, according to school board documents.

Among other issues, the district proposed a full review of health and retirement benefits, and the union proposed adding mandatory health and safety standards for facilities and resources.

Both sides proposed a one-year term for the new contract.

“Let the games begin,” Dana Black, school board president, announced after the two votes.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck