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Teachers’ representative criticizes bargaining delays, cites budget figures and state COLA
Summary
A Bellflower teachers' representative told the board the district canceled a bargaining session and urged prompt, good-faith negotiations; she cited a 2.3% state COLA and alleged a $5 million budget discrepancy in health-insurance spending.
At the public-comment portion of the meeting, a member speaking for Bellflower educators criticized the district’s handling of contract negotiations and asked leaders to prioritize classroom funding as bargaining continued.
Amy Mustafa told trustees the May 1 bargaining date was canceled by the district and said, "The facts are clear. The state COLA is 2.3%." She also said the district’s unaudited actuals showed $50,000,000 budgeted for health insurance over two years but only $45,000,000 spent, adding, "This shows us there are resources available." Trustees asked staff to provide follow-up documentation and verification of the budget figures.
Mustafa urged the board to return prepared to the table and to make proposals that reflect educators’ needs before the school year ends; staff and the board said they would deliver a report with survey results and funding details in the coming weeks.
