Ruling Leaves Teachers Outraged, Apprehensive : Schools: Some say they are willing to strike over a pay cut. Others say a county or state takeover is the best way to resolve the district’s problems.

By the time the teachers gathered in Lincoln High School’s small faculty dining room for lunch Wednesday, most had already learned of the latest development in the Los Angeles Unified School District’s battle to balance its budget by cutting salaries. And they were anything but happy.

“If they are going to dock my pay, I’d rather they take it from me while I’m on the street instead of in my classroom,” veteran mathematics teacher Richard Wiegand said in announcing his willingness to strike over a cumulative 12% pay cut.

Others said they were not yet sure what they would do if the teachers union calls for a strike. Or even what they will do next.

“We don’t know what we’re going to do,” said English teacher Joy Cowan, summing up the anger, shock and confusion expressed by many teachers at the news that Superior Court Judge Stephen E. O’Neil had just lifted his order barring the district from imposing the pay cuts. O’Neil left the final resolution to the state Public Employment Relations Board, which will hear the case next week.

“Everything’s in such a state of flux. We’re in a state of mass confusion,” said John Ralles, another veteran math teacher. “The pity is, many of us have put in too many years with this district to leave now.”

At Lincoln on the Eastside, as at many other campuses across the sprawling district, the news triggered more worries over meeting mortgage payments and deeper frustration over the continuing uncertainty about just how much teachers will be paid this year. There was also heightened bitterness over working conditions that have deteriorated with previous budget cuts.

“I feel we’ve already taken a cut,” said Cynthia High, who in three years has seen her English classes for those who are still learning the language go from an average of 26 students to 38 students. She also has lost a preparation period.

Many teachers blamed the Board of Education and the administration for not finding other ways to close a $400-million gap in the district’s $3.9-billion 1992-93 budget. And some said they would actually welcome a county or state takeover because they believe that represents the best hope for straightening out the district.

School board members and administrators have said repeatedly that the state’s fiscal problems have left them no choice but to cut the salaries of all employees. They have criticized leaders of United Teachers-Los Angeles for creating the impression that the district has alternatives to pay cuts.

“Perhaps if the state takes over we can clear out some of the jobs on the Hill,” Spanish teacher Jaime Rodriguez said in a reference to those who work at the district’s downtown headquarters.

Although dismayed over the pay cuts, Rodriguez said he will not go on strike because “leaving the classroom would only put a burden on others.”

Charles Taylor, another Spanish teacher, said he would “most assuredly” answer a strike call because he is sick of “getting little consideration” from the school board and the central administration.

“I feel very good about all of our administrators here,” Taylor said of Lincoln’s principal and her assistants, but he added that he feels he and his colleagues “are of little value” to those who run the district.

Principal Lupe Sonnie, who has headed the school for 10 years, said the faculty has worked hard to ensure the fight over the pay cuts does not disrupt the educational program.

“We all just hope this will be resolved soon,” Sonnie said.