[Editor’s Note: Mr. Mielke is in his second century as President of the Teachers Union.]
Friends –
I met on Wednesday with Asst. Supts. Leslie Lockhart and Mike Reynolds, Classified Employees President Debbie Hamme, and the President of the Management Assn., Audrey Stephens.
Leslie and Mike called us all together to communicate to us that CCUSD has agreed, in principle, to fund salary increases over the next five years large enough to move us to the median in Los Angeles County. (Currently, our beginning salary is about 10 percent below the median.)
To start that process, they are offering employee groups a 2 percent salary increase for this year, retroactive to the beginning of this school year.
There are details to work out – and this will not close negotiations for this year – but we are prepared to sign a side agreement for this 2 percent increase now so that payroll can get started on the process and that we can have the retro checks in hand before the end of the school year.
I don't have to remind anyone that this will be our first salary increase since the 1 percent raise we bargained in 2007-2008.
CCUSD's new leadership team understands that substandard compensation in a school district is a formula for failure.
New Supe Dave LaRose and his team have communicated clearly to us that we share the same goal: Make compensation in
CCUSD competitive.
When you see them, thank them!
Our team will return to the bargaining table on Monday, May 13. We are still working on issues related to health benefits, evaluation, class size, elementary prep time, compensation for teachers serving as the administrative designee and issues related to IEP's and SST's that affect some schools more than others.
Finally, we're not sure yet how this 2 percent increase will compare with other raises in the county this year, but we anticipate that it will be one of the best. Many local unions still are trying to rescind furlough days.
CCUSD understands the math: For us to move up 10 percent over a five-year period they'll need to “beat” the county-wide average raise by 2 percent each year to hit that goal.
Don't hesitate to contact me or any other member of our bargaining team with your questions and concerns: Casey Chabola, Lin Howe; Carmen Campos, El Marino; and Tayo Balogun, CCMS.
And thanks for your continued support.
Mr. Mielke may be contacted at davidmielke@ccusd.org
