Tension gives way to tentative deal for RBUSD teachers, staff
by Garth Meyer Redondo Unified School District and its teachers and classified staff have reached a tentative agreement for a six percent pay raise. The three-year deal, including other features, came after 12 separate negotiating sessions since June, four school board closed sessions and contentious public input at the board’s Oct. 10 and Oct. 24 meetings, with an apology at the latter from Board President Rachel Silverman-Nemeth. The contracts, if approved, put the district into deficit spending, tapping into its reserve. “It is important to note that while this agreement keeps our classified staff (and teachers) among the best compensated employees in the area, and provides a structure to continue to do so, it comes at a considerable cost to the district’s budget,” Nick Stephany, RBUSD assistant superintendent, human resources, wrote in an Oct. 27 letter to classified employees. He added that, since the district is in a period of declining enrollment, it will receive less money in future years. As part of the deal, a later start to the school year also was negotiated – up to Aug. 21, from a week earlier. Board president Silverman-Nemeth’s apology followed remarks at the Oct. 10…
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