Teachers and unions press Newport-Mesa board over pay as negotiations reach impasse
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Summary
Teachers, union representatives and district staff clashed over a negotiated 2% pay offer and recent impasse; speakers called for higher wages and transparency while the superintendent said impasse was mutually declared and that contingency language affects total compensation.
Trustees heard more than an hour of public comment from teachers, union representatives and community members urging the Newport-Mesa Unified School District board to return to bargaining and offer raises larger than the district—s 2% proposal.
"We knew our educators deserve more and so do our students," NMFT president Rhonda Reid said during public comment, arguing the district rushed to impasse and that the 2% offer would not keep up with inflation. Anthony Solis, a field representative with the California Federation of Teachers, said educators not only received no raise this school year but faced a net pay decrease after the district passed on health care premium increases to staff.
The district—s superintendent, Dr. Smith, told the board that the parties mutualy declared impasse on Oct. 24 and defended the district's use of contingency language. "We have a contract that we value. We—re honoring that contract until we have a new contract," Smith said, acknowledging the district has "contingency language" that would trigger additional bargaining if revenues come in higher than expected.
Union and teacher speakers described how rising living costs and housing pressures are eroding recent raises. "Two percent is less than the current local inflation rate," Solis said. Longtime teachers and union representatives urged trustees to prioritize retention and recruitment, noting that the district is a basic aid district with resources they said could be applied to compensation.
Board members and staff defended prior settlement context and noted additional components of total compensation — including step-and-column increases and health and welfare benefits — that the district says have exceeded cost-of-living adjustments in recent years. Assistant superintendent and labor-staffing references in the presentation said staff will continue to engage in the impasse process and are hopeful for a resolution.
The board did not take formal action on compensation during the meeting. The superintendent said the district remains open to returning to the table if funding or circumstances change, and that contingency language could prompt further talks.