By Maggie Robak
Staff Writer
The Manhattan Beach Unified Teachers Association came to an agreement with the Manhattan Beach Unified School District Board on teacher contracts on Sept. 15.
Every year, the contract is opened for specific items to be changed, usually minor alterations. However, this year the entire contract and its terms had expired and, therefore, could be revised or altered completely.
One of the biggest changes was modifying the average class size ratio of K-5 classes. The ratio was raised from 29:1 to 31:1. The class size average for grades 6-12 will remain at 29:1.
“We would have preferred not to change elementary class size because we feel kids do better in smaller classes. We hope to negotiate that again when the economy gets better,” MBUTA President Rachel Thomas said.
In addition to this change, teachers at Mira Costa who chaperone students on an extended trip will be paid for the days they are out of school. At the elementary schools, teachers whose class is attending a program outside of class, with another credentialed teacher, can use the time as a prep period instead of with their class.
Teachers who are forced to switch classrooms or grade levels during the school year get two days’ worth of extra pay as compensation for the time they spend moving rooms or coming up with new curriculum for their students.
“The changes were mostly minor. Most of them were internal changes affecting the teachers,” Thomas said.
The teachers voted on this new contract the day before school started. After it was passed, the contract was ratified by the MBUSD School Board.
The teachers voted anonymously then signed a document confirming they had voted. Once the votes were cast, they were sent to the South Bay United Teachers office. They were then tallied and the contract was passed.
Though it took some time for the district and union to settle, they are satisfied that they settled on good terms.
“We were pleased that we were able to come to terms with our teachers and were able to keep our school year at 180 days. Many districts around us have cut the school year by five days,” MBUSD Board President Ida Vanderpoorte said.
Overall, the negotiation went well and the contract was passed by the majority of the teachers. The district and teachers were able to come to an agreement they were both happy with.
“Anytime we shake hands and come to an agreement is great with our union. We didn’t have to add any furlough days or make cuts to teachers and classified pay. I think we are all happy with the way things turned out,” MBUSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Matthews said.
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