High School Teachers Union Accepts Contract Calling for 5% Raise

An impasse between the Fullerton Joint Union High School District and the teachers union has ended with a contract that will give teachers a 5% pay raise in the upcoming school year.

District officials are expected to ratify the contract next week.

Paul Bucalstein, president of Fullerton Secondary Teachers Organization, called the contract a “very good deal.”

In May, teachers voted to turn down the agreement. But after a state mediator intervened, teachers accepted the contract.

“Several teachers who were unhappy with the contract say it’s not what teachers deserve,” Bucalstein said. “I agree with them, but no district that I know of has the money to pay teachers what they deserve. We all agree that teachers deserve more.”

Ron Anderson, assistant to the superintendent, said the school board is expected to ratify the agreement Tuesday.

The contract gives teachers a 5% pay increase in the 1996-97 school year, an estimated 2.95% pay raise the following year (based on the expected cost-of-living increase) and a possible 4.15% raise in 1998-99 (based on cost-of-living plus a 1% raise).

In addition, an early retirement package will be offered to about 40 teachers.

Anderson said other district employees, including teacher aides, custodians and administrators, also will receive 5% pay raises in the upcoming year.