BY AMELIA BISCARDI
Daily Post Staff Writer
For the first time anyone can remember, the Las Lomitas School District’s 92 teachers are on strike. Despite an attempt at a Hail Mary late last night, negotiations crumbled.
During the school day, teachers and community members are picketing in front of both campuses at Las Lomitas elementary school at 299 Alameda de las Pulgas in Atherton and La Entrada middle school at 2200 Sharon Road In Menlo Park.
Both sides disagree as to what transpired last night.
The district says it offered a 7% retroactive raise for last school year and a 3% raise for this schools year, extending a $3,358 “tenure” stipend and health benefits equal to 100% of a Kaiser plan ($14,358).
The district, in an email to parents signed by Superintendent Beth Polito and the board, says it tried to closely conform to recommendations from a neutral report.
“Please note that our offer introduces financial risk that will result in difficult decisions about the district’s budget/reserves moving forward.
The district says the teachers union countered with a request for an 8% retroactive raise for last school year, an 8% raise for this school year, benefits equal to 110% for a Kaiser plan and removing a CalPERS fee of about $1,812 per person.
But the union says Polito and her team walked out, saying they were not authorized over a certain amount and left the room with the union believing they were going to get the board negotiator on the phone.
Board President Heather Hopkins said the board let members of the negotiating team to leave negotiations to prepare for school the next day. But the team had invited the union to continue discussions over phone, text or Zoom.
“We recognize that this decision may have unintentionally caused confusion,” Hopkins wrote.
“We asked leadership that when they told their story, they be truthful,” union Co-President Daniella Lefer said. “And that’s not the story that they’re releasing.”
The two sides are set to go back to the negotiating table later today.
Teachers have been working without a contract since July 2023. Negotiations began in December.
In February, the union wanted a 12% raise and $448 added toward their health insurance premiums. The district countered with a 3% raise and $1,882 toward health insurance.
Las Lomitas teachers make between $78,181 to $167,146 depending on their years of experience and education level, according to pay schedules on the district’s website.
Union co-president Jennifer Montavalo previously told the Post that teachers salaries look more like $71,320 to $146,634 annually.