Culver City Teachers Plan Boycott of Parents’ Meetings in Pay Dispute

Teachers in the Culver City Unified School District plan to boycott open houses for parents today as part of the continuing dispute over proposed pay increases for the next two years.

Diane Kaiser, president of the Culver City Federation of Teachers, bargaining agent for Culver City’s 254 teachers, said that the teachers themselves made the recommendation “to keep pressure on the board” of the district to reach an equitable settlement.

The federation sponsored a teacher’s rally at a board meeting Tuesday night, when about 100 teachers marched outside and later voiced their complaints to board members during the meeting.

Pay Increase Sought

The teachers are seeking a 5% increase for all teachers, plus additional increases for senior teachers with a minimum of 20 years employment in the district and 30 units of university credits above the minimum requirements to teach in the district. The increases would apply retroactively to Nov. 1.

“We want to raise the top salary for teachers from $37,000 yearly to $40,000,” Kaiser said. “The current top salary is far too low in comparison with other Southern California districts, 40th out of 43. We believe senior teachers should be rewarded for their experience and education.”

The district has countered with a 7.3% increase for all teachers, retroactive to Sept. 1. Ralph R. Villani, assistant superintendent and the board’s negotiator, said that the pay package proposed by the teachers will result in adding another $100,000 to the district’s estimated $400,000 budget deficit for next year.

“We are having to make painful cuts this year because of a $140,000 budget deficit this year,” Villani said. “And we will have to make even more painful cuts next year, without adding to the deficit.”

Culver City’s enrollment has declined since the 1970s, from a high of 7,500 students to 4,630 this year, down 60 students from the previous year. Because state support is based on school attendance, the enrollment decline means less money to the district, Villani said.

‘Worst Case’ Figures

Teachers disputed the assertion that the district cannot afford to pay the increases they sought, contending that district officials present “worst case” figures to hold down teacher salaries, which average $32,000.

Teachers also contended that a fact-finding panel appointed jointly by the district and the teachers supported the pay plan submitted by the teachers. The panel included three members, one appointed by the teachers, another appointed by the district and a third, a neutral state arbitrator.

Norman E. Miller, the district’s representative on the panel, dissented from the group’s report, arguing that the district has a limited ability to finance pay increases.