Negotiations continue over teacher salaries

Angelique Flores

Contract negotiations continue between the Huntington Beach Union High

School District and its teachers.

After the district increased its offer by 1% last week, making it a 5%

raise, teachers still didn’t budge.

“The 5% salary offer is off the mark. It’s never going to get our

teachers up to the county average,” said Jim Pacelli, chairman of

bargaining team. “This offer isn’t something we’re willing to accept.”

Repeating their same proposal, the teachers association asked for a

6.8% raise, plus the 3.87% cost of living adjustment, and 50% of any

ongoing money the district will receive. This will boost salaries up to

the county average.

Last board meeting brought together more than 300 teachers who

expressed their support for the offer.

“We heard what they were saying,” said Jack Elsner, assistant

superintendent of personnel. “That’s something we’re willing to work on,

but I don’t know if we can do it in one motion.”

One point the two bargaining teams agreed on was a one-year contract.

“We desperately want to settle, but not settle for less than

comparable of what other districts receive,” said Jim Harlan, executive

director of the West Orange County United Teachers.

Retaining the quality teachers and attracting new ones will become

difficult as the district builds a reputation of not being able to pay

teachers a comparable salary, Pacelli said.

Over the last 10 years, Pacelli said that the teacher took 0% raises

three times during times the district was in financial distress.

“The teachers have been there for the district,” he said. “We’ve

stepped up to the plate during hard times.”

Contracts with higher salaries is what teachers feel they deserve in

return for their hard work and sacrifice.

“There’s no question that we have a quality staff,” Elsner said.

Still, Elsner admits that the district’s teachers are below the county

median.

“We have the goal to get them back up there, but it’s something you

can’t do overnight,” Elsner said.

Some teachers believe the district can do it, but just doesn’t make it

a priority. School Services of California reported that district

administrators were among the top paid and teachers are among the worst

paid in rankings with similar districts.

“The teachers are not trying to break the district, we’re just out to

stop this kind of a cycle where other things get prioritized, not

teachers,” Pacelli said.

Both teams say they are willing to work together to reach an

agreement, and the district hopes to come to one before the school year

ends.