Teachers’ union OKs concession deal to avert pink-slip bloodbath

The San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) has reached an agreement with the San Diego Education Association (SDEA) that puts the 2012-13 school year back on track by recalling pink slips for nearly 1,400 teachers, nurses and counselors — including 85 teachers and staff in the La Jolla and Mission Bay area schools. “Everybody’s happy that the teachers’ union is talking to the district again — that’s always a step in the right direction,” said Sharon Jones, a parent involved in the La Jolla cluster of schools. “We’re very happy that it’s been resolved, but funding issues still remain. California’s got to figure out a better way to fund education.” Educators voted from June 24 through June 26 on the tentative agreement that was forged between negotiators from the teachers’ union and the SDUSD. The results of the vote were tallied and released June 27. The terms of the agreement include: • Teachers will defer raises promised to them in previous negotiations. • Teachers will work five unpaid furlough days. An additional 14 furlough days are possible if a November tax-initiative ballot measure fails. • A $25,000 retirement incentive will be offered to the first 300 SDEA members who are older than 55 and have more than 25 years of experience. Teachers are now expected to be recalled as early as the end of June. The SDEA elections committee reported that more than 4,500 members cast votes, of which 67 percent voted “yes” on the agreement and 33 percent voted “no.” In the Mission Bay Cluster, 32 teachers and staff at six schools received layoff notices this year. In the La Jolla Cluster, 53 teachers and staff member at five schools received layoff notices. For La Jolla Elementary School, the layoffs would have slashed 13 in a staff of 25 teachers. In March, the SDEA released a list of layoff notices issued, based on information it received from SDUSD. Here’s a breakdown of layoff notices issued in the Mission Bay and La Jolla Clusters: MISSION BAY CLUSTER

• Mission Bay High School 2 English, reading, language-arts teachers 2 foreign-language teachers 1 general-subjects teacher 1 industrial-technology teacher 2 math teachers 1 music teacher 3 school counselors 1 special-education teacher • Pacific Beach Middle School 3 English, reading, language teachers 1 foreign language teacher 1 general-subjects teacher 1 science teacher 1 music teacher 1 school counselor • Pacific Beach Elementary School 1 general-subjects teacher • Kate Sessions Elementary School 1 general-subjects teacher/ESL sheltered teacher 2 general-subjects teachers 1 school psychologist • Crown Point Elementary School 2 general-subjects teachers 1 home economics teacher 1 school librarian • Bayview Elementary School 2 child-development center teachers