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MONTEBELLO – Montebello Unified School District and the Montebello Teachers Association have signed a historic, three-year contract that runs through the end of the 2017-18 school year. The agreement increases teacher wages 3.25 percent in each of the next two academic years and has provided a 2.3 percent bonus for the 2015-16 school year.
The agreement stipulates that the school year will be increased by one instructional day and one staff development day dedicated to technology as it applies to online attendance and online grading programs. The pay rate for additional school-related assignments – such as site translation, home teaching, after-school tutoring and other academic success improvements – will be augmented as well.
“I thank our administration, staff, bargaining units, teachers and community for their patience through this long, but vital process,” MUSD Board of Education President Benjamin Cardenas said. “In the spirit of teamwork, I am grateful to everyone for their ongoing respect, integrity and passion during our months of negotiations. Thank you all.”
The agreement was tentatively reached on April 28 and ratified May 9 by more than 70 percent of the Montebello Teachers Association – representing significantly high voter turnout.
“On behalf of Montebello Unified, I want to congratulate our teachers and District officials for their collaborative efforts in reaching this fair and important settlement,” MUSD Superintendent Susanna Contreras Smith said. “I believe that the terms of this agreement reflect not only our commitment to our high quality and dedicated teachers and our efforts to effectively operate all aspects of our District.”
The contract is scheduled to go up for MUSD Board of Education approval at the regularly scheduled meeting on May 19.
