ORANGE

Union officials and more than 100 teachers made clear in a meeting Monday that they find the Orange Unified School District’s contract proposal unacceptable. Teachers responded to a presentation of the two-year contract offer with boos, catcalls and angry outbursts.

Contract talks, which have been hostile and contentious for years in the 30,000-student district, have already reached an impasse. District negotiator James Bowles said a state mediator has certified the dispute for the state’s fact-finding process. Each side picks a neutral person and they agree on a fact-finder to try and resolve the issue.

District officials said their proposal was geared toward increasing salaries and reducing the district’s liability for retirees. For that reason, they are offering raises up to 12.71% but reducing health benefits.

Officials with the Orange Unified Education Assn. said a $5,000 mandated buyout of lifetime health benefits was “insulting” to teachers who worked for decades at low wages. They accused the district of failing to negotiate, and also said it could afford higher salaries and better benefits.