Tentative Pact Reached for Capistrano Teachers

Teacher salaries in the county’s third-largest district would be increased 5.5% in the next two years under a tentative contract agreement that will be voted on by union and school board members, according to details released Tuesday.

The Capistrano Unified School District’s agreement was reached last week after more than a year of sometimes bitter negotiations that culminated in a 19-hour session mediated by the state labor board. The district was the last in the county to settle a contract with its teachers.

Union members will vote on ratification next week. Trustees will vote on the contract Nov. 18.

“Both sides worked hard to come up with a solution that was fiscally responsible yet recognized the value that the board places on teachers,” school board Vice President John Casabianca said.

Teachers and other union members would get a 3.5% raise for the previous school year, retroactive to February. A 2% raise for the current year would be given retroactive to July.

The contract would expire in June 2004. During the final year, the increase would equal the amount the state allows for cost-of-living adjustments.

Capistrano Unified Education Assn. President Frank Weirath credited teachers’ tenacious efforts for winning the salary increases.

“Without the strong support of CUEA members and the pressure put on the district by parents and the community, we would not have an agreement today,” he said.