Torrance Unified approves positive interim budget certification and ratifies tentative teacher agreement

The Torrance Unified School District board on Dec. 8 approved a positive certification of its first interim budget and voted to ratify a tentative agreement with the Torrance Teachers Association (TTA).

The board certified the district’s first interim report after staff said the current projections — based on assumptions from School Services of California and the enacted state budget — show a positive ending fund balance through the third year but will be tightened by upcoming settlements and cost pressures. "There could be some other impact depending on our CALPADS state reporting," a staff presenter said during the interim presentation.

The board then approved the TTA tentative agreement. The administration described the package as: a 2.23% ongoing salary increase retroactive to July 1, 2025; a one‑time $1,500 off‑schedule payment in the current year intended to offset this year’s health insurance cost increases; and an ongoing $2,000 per full‑time‑equivalent increase in the district contribution to employee benefits starting July 1, 2026. The administration said the total compensation impact when the benefit increase begins is roughly 3.89%.

Amy Erwin, vice president of TTA, said members ratified the tentative agreement by an overwhelming majority and called the package a "temporary fix, but a necessary step to stabilize our members in the short term." The board approved the agreement by voice vote.

District staff underscored that the interim projections already include settlements with two bargaining units but that numbers could change as remaining negotiations conclude. The district’s budget presentation noted long‑term cost pressures — including step and column increases and higher STRS/PERS contributions — and observed that "almost $17,000,000 more annually goes into our employees" across recent years as compensation and benefits have risen.

Board members said they appreciated the work of negotiators and emphasized the goal of balancing employee compensation with fiscal sustainability. Staff noted next steps: a state audit update expected in February and the governor’s budget proposal in January, with the second interim report scheduled for March.

The board moved the certification and the tentative agreement in separate votes; both measures passed on voice votes.

The board will return to fiscal items in subsequent meetings as pending negotiations and state budget actions could alter the reported outlook.