Mountain View School District : Pay Compromise Suggested

A state-appointed fact-finder, called in to mediate a contract dispute between the Mountain View School District and its teachers, has recommended giving the 314 teachers a 4.5% pay increase retroactive to July. The recommendation is not binding on the school board, which will consider it at an April meeting.

The district, which serves El Monte and South El Monte, has offered a 2.5% raise if the teachers agree to give up the right to 30 minutes of weekly class preparation time. The teachers have refused to give up the time and have demanded an 8.5% increase.

Since school began in September, the dispute has become heated. Teachers’ union representatives have accused Supt. Julian T. Lopez of being tightfisted in denying their pay request but lavish in spending at least $12,000 to redecorate his office since he took the post this year. Lopez, a nonsmoker, said the work was needed because the former superintendent was a heavy smoker.