Tustin : School Officials Say Attendance Is Normal
Attendance at Tustin High School returned to normal Tuesday after a one-day student strike in support of teachers in their contract dispute with the school district, officials said.
On Monday, 25% of the school’s 2,000 students skipped school completely, while 46% missed at least one period, Principal Peggy Lynch said. Normally on a Monday about 21% of the students miss at least one period, while between 5% and 10% miss the whole day, she said.
“For some, (the strike) may have been a good excuse to go to the beach, but technically it was in support of the teachers,” Lynch said. “Today’s attendance looks real good.”
Maurice A. Ross, superintendent of the Tustin Unified School District, said that about 10 students spoke in support of the teachers at the school board meeting Monday night.
Attendance at other schools in the district was normal Monday and Tuesday, Ross said, “and we have no indication that similar activities are planned or have been discussed at other campuses.”
Contract talks between Tustin teachers and district administrators have been at an impasse for several months. Teachers are demanding a cost-of-living raise, but the district contends the money is not available.
The average annual salary of Tustin teachers and other white-collar, non-administrative employees is $29,963, according to district figures.
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