MENLO PARK, Calif. (KRON) — Teachers of the Las Lomitas Education Association in Menlo Park have worked without a contract for over a year. They’re seeking better pay, health benefits and resources to retain teachers.
The teachers’ association said its district is the lowest paid in the area and is one of the most expensive zip codes in San Mateo County.
Wednesday’s strike, which begins at 8:30 a.m., is expected to have teachers, bus drivers, front office and supporting staff all picketing outside school grounds.
The Las Lomitas Elementary School District said it did try to avoid this strike and offered the following two-year contract:
- 7% retroactive pay increase for last school year
- 3% pay increase for this school year
- Extension of $3,358 “tenure” stipend for teachers
- Health benefits equal to 100% coverage of a Kaiser individual plan starting January 2025
The district said the group wants an 8% pay increase for both school years, a floating cap of 110% health coverage and CalPERS retirement system fees removed that are costing about $1,800.
In a statement, the school district said: “In an attempt to avert a strike, the district tried to conform as closely as possible to the recommendations in the neutral fact-finding report. Please note that our offer introduces financial risk that will result in difficult decisions about the district’s budget/reserves moving forward.”
