Teachers protest cuts

    After more than 32 hours of closed-door negotiations the Capistrano Unified School District settled on a tentative agreement to end a three-day teacher’s strike in Orange County’s second-largest school district.    The April 26 agreement, which could have long-term ramifications for area schools, would maintain a 10 percent pay cut, although it would restore salary and furlough days if school revenue increases. 
   The pay cuts would help close a $34 million budget shortfall but only cover about $19 million of the gap. 
   Last year about 150 administrative employees received pay cuts of between 10 and 11 percent.
   Overall attendance was affected by the strike when hundreds of students protested in front of their schools, and about 37 percent attended classes. High school attendance dropped by 83 percent. 
   Some teachers joined in the strike and urged students to protest. 
   About 13 percent of teachers crossed picket lines. 
   Many teachers carried signs that read “I’d rather be teaching” and “Teachers offer solutions, board ignores.”
   “There is a lack of respect between the board and the teachers,” said Kathy Morales of Las Palmas elementary. “We’ve attempted to bargain with these ultra conservatives but apparently they have their own agenda.”
   Since teachers work on a nine-month contract, for many a 10 percent pay cut can represent a large part of their annual income. 
   Some veteran teachers make $80,000 a year but many younger teachers make about $30,000 a year. 
   Because of limited funding, many teachers pay for their classroom materials and other supplies. Barbara Skelly, a kindergarten teacher at Las Palmas said, “While on my summer vacation to Yosemite, I was in a gift store and all I could think about was how much my students would enjoy examining rocks and minerals for science.” 
   Mary Ann Johnston, a third grade teacher at Truman Benedict Elementary in San Clemente, brought her motor home to the strike so teachers did not have to leave the picket line to use the bathroom. 
   “We understand that the district is facing serious fiscal issues and we want to make a reasonable compromise until the economy picks up again,” Johnston said, adding, “We deserve to get paid for what we are worth.”
   A vote by the teachers union is expected in a few weeks.