Los Altos School District Approves Teacher Contract

In what board president Doug Smith called "the closest to revenue-sharing in the private sector," the Los Altos School district approved a new three-year teachers contract with some unusual features. 

The 105-page contract with the Los Altos Teachers Association (LATA), plus 70 pages of appendices, marks a first in which raises are tied to property taxes, and so-called step-and-column raises for individual teachers cannot be made without passing an evaluation.

"I’m excited about the structure of the financial compensation piece," said Doug smith, president of the LASD Board of Trustees. 

Smith said people often disparage teachers unions but the result of two provisions of the interest-based bargaining agreement showed how teachers were committed to quality teaching of its individual members, and were cognizant of economic forces that affect districts. 

"I’m also excited by the teachers' commitment to excellence, in agreeing that a teacher can’t move to step-and-column without satisfactory evaluation. It's making sure teachers do a good job."    

The 2012-2013 salary schedules will increased across the board by 1.75 percent, effective July 1, 2012. Teachers will also receive a one-time, off-the-schedule bonus equal to 1.25 percent of their salary. 
 
In addition, teachers will receive a one-time, off-the-schedule payment “bonus” payment for the 2012-2013 school year subject to the following conditions: When 2012-13 property tax revenues are finalized, expected in August, the District will calculate the amount of tax receipts greater than the 2011-12 amount ($27,234,353).

If the calculated amount exceeds 5 percent of the 2011-12 total, then 75 percent of that excess will be used for employee compensation on a pro rata basis per bargaining unit, for a one-time bonus.

"It's the closest thing to a  revenue-sharing arrangement in the private sector," Smith said.

Based on LATA’s share of employee compensation costs, its pro rata share will be 68 percent (using 2012-13 2nd Interim Financial Report data).  This one-time bonus will be pro-rated during the 2012-13 school year. 

Patch will update this story later in the day.