Orange Teachers Deserve Better

In its ongoing attempt to serve our community, and protect our tax dollars, Orange Unified School District has prompted a teacher sickout (Jan. 20).

The teachers rightfully protested as a last resort. In the past three years, the school board has taken pride in and congratulated itself on its strict budget controls, but there is one budget item missing.

Orange Unified has lost 36% of its greatest asset. Over 450 teachers have resigned because they can make a higher starting salary at other districts than at Orange Unified’s top senior experience rate.

The school district’s own five-year plan (1997 to 2002) states, “The lack of competitive salaries makes it difficult to attract and retain the highest quality of educators.” Wouldn’t they want to change this?

The school district claims that the $2.8-million raise proposed by the teacher’s union would bankrupt the district. This is odd because school district documents show a surplus of $13.5 million.

Therefore, a pay increase of $2.8 million would result in a $10.7-million unrestricted cash surplus. The state recommends that school districts maintain a cash reserve of no more than $5.2 million.

One possible explanation is that the school district doesn’t understand basic accounting, which is absurd considering what they spend on accountants and consultants.

The other alternative is they don’t care about their senior teachers.

CHRIS KOONTZ

Orange

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Why is it that the Orange Unified School District board can be so prescient and extravagant in its purchase of the Barham Ranch property but so myopic and cheap in its treatment of massive labor strife in the district?

While hundreds of teachers are bolting district classrooms, while hundreds more staged an apparent sickout, while several active and retired employee groups seek financial redress against the board, the coffers are apparently wide open to provide for students who are years removed from formal instruction.

PATRICK J. BARRETT

Newport Beach