THOUSAND OAKS : Hearing Planned on Contract Proposal

A public hearing on a contract proposal by a union representing 600 Conejo Valley Unified School District employees is scheduled Thursday.

The California School Employees Assn., representing classified workers, has proposed a 30% raise over the next three years, plus 15% of the district’s lottery money each year. For the first time since 1985, the union’s proposal would give the workers a flat percentage raise, instead of basing their raises on the state funding received by the district.

Area residents will be able to comment on the proposal at the hearing, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Westlake High School.

District officials said they will present their offer at the school board’s Nov. 8 meeting. A second public hearing, to discuss the district’s position, is planned for Nov. 20.

Negotiations on the contract, which expires Dec. 31, are expected to begin in early December, officials said.

For three years, classified employees--including secretaries, custodians, maintenance and food service workers--received raises ranging from 2.88% to 4.59%, plus 8% of the district’s lottery funds.