The Region : Compton Teachers to Return to Classes

As contract negotiations resumed, Compton teachers were scheduled to return to work today after spending Monday and Tuesday on picket lines protesting the school district’s offer of a 5% pay raise. About 1,200 teachers, seeking an increase of at least 10%, also walked off the job for two days last week when negotiators disagreed on salary increases. Of the 43 public school districts in Los Angeles County, Compton’s is the third largest, but its teachers are the lowest paid. Union leaders say the teachers will keep working as long as there is progress in the negotiations. School officials say the strike has already cost the district about $500,000 in state funding because student attendance has slumped.