SANTA PAULA : Schools Ratify Pact for 215 Employees

After seven months of negotiations, the Santa Paula Elementary School District on Thursday ratified a three-year contract with 215 of its 375 employees.

Under the contract, the employees--who range from janitors to secretaries--will receive a 5.03% raise, retroactive to July 1. The contract also includes a “me-too” clause. The clause stipulates that if district teachers--who are still negotiating their contract--receive an increase larger than 5.03%, then the non-teachers would receive the larger amount.

The contract ratified Thursday also grants health, dental and vision benefits to half- and full-time employees. People who work less than 20 hours per week are not covered. The district has agreed to pay a 21% increase in costs in the benefit programs.

The teachers’ union and the district will enter the initial stages of a fact-finding process next week to determine whether more money can be made available for salaries, as the union contends.

The state will approve the procedure because its appointed mediator has been unable to resolve the dispute. The state will also supply an independent conciliator, who, along with representatives from both factions, will form an advisory committee.

The committee’s recommendation is not binding.

Santa Paula Federation of Teachers President Robert Berg said teachers are willing to accept a raise of 6%, but the district has not increased its initial offer of 5.03%. The union is asking for 72% of any lottery money that has not been allocated.