Teacher Contract Dispute Unresolved

The Santa Paula Elementary School District will end the school year Friday without resolving contract negotiations with its teachers, district Supt. Dave Philipps said earlier this week.

School district representatives are expected to meet in a second fact-finding session June 18 with a representative from the Santa Paula Federation of Teachers, the union that represents 144 teachers at seven schools.

Since November, teachers have been locked in negotiations with the school district over increases in salary and benefits in a three-year contract.

The district’s last offer of a 5.23% across-the-board salary increase was rejected in April. Teachers have asked for a 6% increase, Philipps said.

The district’s offer is estimated to cost the district an additional $376,666 in salaries. The difference between the district’s and union’s offers is about $41,000.

Philipps said he hopes the contract dispute will be resolved before school begins in September.