Study:

Newport-Mesa teachers on average are the fourth-best compensated teachers of Orange County’s 12 school districts, according a study by district and teachers’ union officials.

The numbers start this year’s round of contract negotiations on a more amicable note compared with last year, when statistics showed district teachers were the lowest paid in Orange County.

“What this proves is the school board and district administration’s commitment to bringing all salary employees up to competitive rates,” said district spokeswoman Laura Boss.

Salaries and benefits will likely not be discussed this year, teachers’ union leaders said.

A task force composed of three district and three Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers officials annually review teachers’ salaries and benefits, or total compensation. The group reviews teachers’ average total compensation in every county school district on one specific day.

According to Nov. 15 data, the district is in the 73rd percentile. Last year’s contract negotiations mandated the district to be between the 50th and 75th percentile within three years.

District and union officials understand the ranking would likely drop if other school districts’ teachers negotiated significant raises.

“We want everyone to [understand] those numbers represent only a number in time. They are very fluid. We have no control of when other districts decide to settle [contracts],” said teachers’ union President Jim Rogers.

Newport Heights Elementary School sixth-grade teacher Bob Kelly was “guardedly optimistic.”

“I feel we’ve definitely made a substantial amount of progress,” he said. “But again, we want to see where we are to the other school districts so we feel that the district is meeting its contract requirements.”

Union officials last year negotiated a 19% raise in salaries over three years.

During summer negotiations, Newport-Mesa administrators and teachers’ union leaders were working with data showing educators had the lowest average total compensation in the county.

Numbers released by the county last month were different — Newport-Mesa teachers were in the 27th percentile.

That doesn’t change anything, Rogers said. The undisputed data showing teachers had the lowest average salary had the most leverage, he said.

“It wasn’t a bait and switch. I would just say new and more accurate data has now become available,” he said.

What counts as benefits is more subjective, officials said. They include health benefits (medical, dental and vision), life insurance and employee assistance programs, such as psychological, marriage or financial counseling.

In December, the county was the first to release benefits numbers from a standardized process.

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.