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Classified staff press Brea Olinda board on wages and rising benefits costs
Summary
At the April 23 meeting classified employees urged the board to negotiate raises that at least match inflation, saying recent proposals would amount to pay cuts after rising costs for insurance and daily expenses.
Classified employees used the public‑comment portion of the Brea Olinda Unified School District board meeting on April 23 to press the district for larger pay increases and to protest rising health‑insurance costs.
Gina Parino, a classified staff member and CSEA chapter speaker, told the board a 3% nominal raise does not keep pace with inflation: “If you’re offering anything less than 2.7%, that is not a real raise at all. That is a pay cut,” she said, urging the district to separate cost‑of‑living adjustments from performance pay.
Eva Moreno, CSEA chapter secretary and a member of the negotiating team, said many classified employees work multiple jobs or struggle to make ends meet while performing essential daily tasks that keep schools running. “Schools do not function without classified staff,” she said, and asked the district to reflect that value in contract offers.
Steve Mononttoya, who addressed board members earlier in the meeting, repeatedly questioned the district’s budgeting choices, saying the district has carried higher-than-required reserves while many classified employees face escalating premiums and reduced net pay. He urged the board to consider how limited steps and insurance changes disproportionately affect lower‑paid staff.
Board members did not adopt a new compensation package during the meeting. Trustees thanked speakers for their presentations and directed negotiators and staff to continue bargaining. Several classified speakers said bargaining sessions were scheduled this month; CSEA said talks would continue at an upcoming meeting.
The board has not released a negotiated package publicly; the comments underscored persistent tensions in labor talks and a district‑level debate about balancing reserves, benefits and salary increases.
What happened next: the board continued with its agenda, approving consent calendar items and a series of contract awards. Classified negotiators told the audience they would continue to press for a settlement in coming bargaining sessions.
