Colleges, Union Agree on 5.1% Pay Raise

After an unusually peaceful and short discussion, union and district officials from the county’s three community colleges agreed Friday on a 5.1% annual raise for teachers.

The pay hike--the highest in at least five years--was the first one negotiated using a new formula that automatically ties faculty raises to the amount of money the district receives from the state.

The new arrangement, Moorpark instructor Elton Hall said, was a boon to teachers this year.

Because of a windfall in property tax revenue collected in California, the state last month adjusted upward the amount of money due to the district.

The gain meant hearty raises for faculty members.

Also, the new formula led to the first negotiations--only 2 1/2 hours long--to conclude without bitterness.

“This is the way things should be,” Hall said. “No surprises. No animosity.”

Teachers, he said, were delighted with the results.

“For three years we got nothing and then 1%,” he said. “An over 5% raise in one year I think is very pleasing.”