Pasadena Unified School District (Photo – Staff)
On October 27, The Pasadena Unified School District and United Teachers of Pasadena Bargaining Teams met for the third bargaining session of the 2023-2024 school year. The District team provided two counterproposals.
By News Desk
The district offered the following counterproposal on salary and total compensation:
Total Financial Package: 8.95% ongoing cost to the District ($10,498,225) and 2% one-time bonus ($2,345,972)
- 8% on salary schedule increase = $9,383,888 ongoing expenditure;
- 0.95% District absorbed increase cost to health and welfare benefits = $1,114,337 ongoing expenditure;
- 2% one-time salary bonus = $2,345,972 one-time expenditure;
- Increase of $500 to Special Education Stipends, from $2,500 to $3,000 annually;
- A commitment to revise the salary schedule for Early Childhood Education teachers.
The district offered the following counterproposal on safety and working conditions:
- Language related to the provision of essential equipment for instruction and safety;
- Provision of an emergency kit to all PUSD classrooms and workspaces with items necessary during an emergency lockdown;
- Protocols for District response in the event of malfunctioning HVAC units that result in unhealthy conditions for students and staff;
- Provisions for the repair of faulty equipment in a timely manner;
- Access to a working telephone and intercom or two-way radio for all classrooms and workspaces;
- Ready access to site and student safety plans;
- Guidelines related to the loss or theft of District technology equipment.
Additionally, the District and UTP continued discussion on official calendars for the 2024-2025 school year, including child development.
The district’s bargaining team members are Dr. Sergio Canal, Chief Human Resources Officer; Dr. Helen Chan Hill, Acting Chief Academic Officer; Dr. Jen Alcazar, Director of Human Resources; Ms. Lori Touloumian, Principal, Marshall Fundamental; and Ms. Maricela Brambila, Principal, Willard Elementary.
The UTP’s bargaining team members are Ms. Bethel Lira, Bargaining Chairperson, Marshall Fundamental; Mr. Jonathan Gardner, President of UTP; Octavia E. Butler Magnet; Ms. Nathan Banditelli, California Teachers Association; Ms. Stephanie Kaul, Teacher, San Rafael; Ms. Lisa Collins, School Nurse, PHS; and Mr. Michael To, Special Education Teacher, Blair IB.
In a press release, PUSD vowed to “continue to work together to foster a relationship of trust and collaboration.” UTP requested another negotiation session, which is currently being scheduled.
Regarding UTP leader Ms. Boynton’s comment, I think PUSD agrees, as the 8.95% ongoing cost offered by PUSD is greater than the COLA granted by the state in the budget, which is 8.22%. The 0.95% cost of the health care cost increases absorbed by PUSD is indeed real money. That is relevant because PUSD health care costs are significantly higher than those of many districts that have higher salary rankings.
Without the District giving an above Cost of Living Adjustment to the teachers they will continue to remain in the bottom quartile of salary comparable report by LACOE. PUSD has a difficult time hiring and retaining teachers because of the low salary scale. Many many classrooms still remain without a full-time teacher every single year. Long-term substitutes do not give students the proper education needed at any grade level.