Local teachers seek pay raise

Members of the Oak Park Teacher's Association gathered at last week's Oak Park Unified School District board meeting and asked board members and district administrators to consider an increase in their cost of living a d j u s t m e n t (COLA) and health benefits.

The group is a California Teacher's Association-National Educator's Association affiliated union that represents 200 teachers, psychologists and counselors within the Oak Park Unified School District.

District employees are bargaining to have their cost of living and health benefits increased to levels comparable with surrounding districts, according to union officials.

A cost of living adjustment raises salaries, typically on an annual basis, to keep them in line with changes in the cost of living index, a measurement based on a cost sampling of certain goods and services.

The cost of living index indicates changes in inflation and welfare not associated with a family's household income.

"We have a reputation for excellence that draws national recognition," said Paula Stromquist, the union's president. "This could not have been accomplished without the extraordinary dedication of our teachers."

Union members say the dedication of Oak Park Unified employees is displayed in their willingness to toil 70 hours per week on school-related work, stay on campus well before and after school hours, sacrificing lunch and prep time to assist students and spending personal funds to purchase supplies.

Many of these activities are not included in contractual working hours.

"Teachers embrace their responsibility with enthusiasm and vigor and we know that we will never grow rich," said John McManus, a chemistry teacher at Oak Park High School. "In return, we expect robust health coverage and honorable wages."

Some teachers also complained about inadequate coverage provided by the district's health maintenance organization.

Kathy Strong, a teacher at Red Oak, said she was forced to endure a fourmonth wait to get her son, who mysteriously passed out three times in one day, an appointment with a neurologist.

"I was terrified that my 12year-old son could have a brain tumor and that it could be spreading and growing," Strong said. "I had to live with that fear every day as we waited for our appointment."

After the ordeal, Strong opted to forgo the district's HMO plan and pay for preferred provider organization coverage.

Teachers also expressed dismay over the fact that their salary contracts considered a step increase (a raise in salary due to merit) as part of the cost of living increase (a raise in salary due to inflation).

"I've been working for eight years with the belief that (step increases) were merit increases," Strong said. "Under this reasoning, teachers can never improve their standard of living. No moving up from the condo to the house, no expanding of the family to include kids, no travel that requires passports and no pursuing advanced educational degrees."

The Oak Park Unified School District maintains the goal of keeping teachers' salaries within the 75th percentile of Ventura County Unified School District salary schedules.

"Our salaries rate a C," Strong said. "I believe that my son is receiving an A-plus education due to the quality programs delivered daily by our blue ribbon educators. I deserve at least an A salary, as does every teacher in this district."

District administrators were unable to comment on the union's demands because the two sides are in negotiations.