Rosemead : School Recall Planned

Stalled salary negotiations with teachers in the Rosemead School District have led a group of residents to plan a recall drive against school board President Elaine Pendleton.

Pendleton, one of only three people left on the five-member board after two members resigned this year, said she had received a copy of a document, called an intent to pursue a recall, charging that Pendleton had failed to negotiate in good faith with the teachers and ignored the wishes of the public regarding the expenditure of district funds and the appointment of a superintendent. Recall supporters could not be reached for comment.

The Rosemead district is one of two in Los Angeles County that have not settled salary negotiations with teachers for the school year that just ended. Pendleton said the district is offering a 3% increase retroactive to Sept. 1 or 5% retroactive to May 1, but teachers are asking for 6% retroactive to Feb. 1.

Pendleton said teachers’ salaries in Rosemead are close to the countywide median for elementary school districts. But the main issue, she said, is how they compare to salaries in surrounding districts, where settlements have been higher than the Rosemead district is offering.

Pendleton, a board member for 10 years, said recall backers’ next step would be to gather enough signatures to qualify for a special election, which could be held next spring at the earliest. The two board members who resigned will be replaced in an election in November.