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District uses impartial salary study as basis for teachers salary talks
SCHOOLS MEA Andersen 2
Stella Brockman School kindergarten teacher Andrew Andersen addresses the Board of Trustees on the issue of teachers salary raises which he called long overdue. - photo by ROSE ALBANO RISSO

During continuing teachers’ salary negotiations, the specifics of behind-doors talks with representatives of the Manteca Educators Association are strictly confidential, Manteca Unified Deputy Superintendent Clark Burke said, explaining why he could not answer questions about statements made by the union members.

Burke is the district’s official representative on the bargaining table.

However, he shared aspects of the comparative compensation study prepared by School Services of California which was hired by the district preparatory to providing a “realistic compensation offer” to the teachers during the ongoing negotiations.

The School Services of California was hired by the district to conduct a survey and come up with an “impartial salary study of ‘like’ districts in the greater Bay and valley areas” which included Pleasanton Unified School District, Modesto USD, Antioch USD, San Ramon USD, Stockton USD, Tracy USD, and Turlock USD.

Based on information gleaned from that study, Burke said the district prepared the following offer to the teachers, showing three options for school years 2014-2015, 2015-2016, and 2016-2017:

• For school year 2014-2015:

Option 1 – Move any employees below the 50 percentile to the 50 percentile.

Option 2 – Same as above, which is to move employees below the 50 percentile to the 50 percentile.

Option 3 –  Increase 1 percent off certificated salary schedule (compensation for training) to 2 percent off certificated salary schedule (compensation for training).

• For school year 2015-2016:

Option 1 – 65 percentile (+3.24 percent off certificated schedule).

Option 2 – 60 percentile (+1.83 percent on certificated salary schedule) plus 5 percentile (+1.41 percent off certificated salary schedule) = 65 percentile (+3.24 percent total).

Option 3 – Continue to 2 percent off schedule (compensation for training) plus 2 percent on certificated salary schedule = 4 percent total (67 percentile).

• For school year 2016-2017:

Option 1 – 70 percentile (+5.19 percent off certificated salary schedule)

Option 2 – Same as Option 2 above for 2015-2016 school year.

There is no Option 3.

“As a team, the district hopes to continue its collaborative negotiations with employees to find an appropriate and equitable solution for all district members,” Burke stated.

He added, “The Manteca Unified School District is made up of great teachers who dedicate themselves to the education of students. In Manteca Unified, we try to show our staff the appreciation they deserve through many different means. Understandably, compensation is one of those means. The district believes it has some of the best teachers for our wonderful students. Consequently, the district wants it to be some of the best realistically compensated employees within the greater Bay and Valley regions.”