Board of Education President Praises Positive Vote by Teachers

The Association announced this afternoon that the contract revisions were ratified, with slightly more than two-thirds of the teachers voting in support of the changes.

“I want to express my gratitude to our educators for once again stepping up to the plate and sacrificing to protect our children’s education,” said Evans. “As President I had insisted that we have an agreement that would responsibly balance the budget and protect our educational mission at the same time. This agreement does that.”

San Diego Unified and the San Diego Education Association agreed June 20 on revisions to the 2012-13 school year contract that will result in the district recalling all 1,372 of the K-12 teachers, librarians, counselors and nurses who had received final layoff notices in May. An additional 109 Early Childhood Education teachers will be recalled under the agreement.

To make this possible, SDEA members will defer raises and continue the five furlough days in the current contract with possible additional furlough days should the November tax initiatives fail.

The agreement contains the following elements:

– All SDEA members in the K-12 program released May 25 will be recalled in two phases: 1,090 unit members will receive a written notice of recall by June 30. The remaining 280 unit members will be sent a notice by June 30 stating they will be recalled no later than Sept. 30 as budgeted positions become available through attrition.

– 109 (full-time equivalent) SDEA members in the Early Childhood Education program will also be recalled on or before June 30.

– Raises will be deferred.

– Five furlough days will continue.

– Health care will remain the same; SDEA members who are not placed in a budgeted position by July 1 will maintain uninterrupted healthcarebenefits for up to 3 months.

– A retirement incentive will be offered to eligible SDEA veteran members.

– Additional furlough days are possible if the November tax initiative ballot measure fails.

“Parents and students can be reassured,” said Evans. “San Diego will continue to be the leader among both public and private schools in protecting small class size in K-3. We will have the teachers, nurses, counselors and graduation coaches to continue with the great results in reducing dropouts announced today. San Diego has the lowest dropout rate among all urban districts in the state.”

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