LAGUNA HILLS - After working for more than a year without a contract the Capistrano Unified Education Association and the Capistrano Unified School District reached a tentative agreement on a new three year contract. Yesterday, the CUEA representative council approved the tentative agreement and set the date for the ratification vote by the entire CUEA membership for November 7 and 8. If approved by CUEA members and the district's school board, the three year agreement will increase the salary schedule by 5.5% during the first two years of the contract. The salary increase for the contract's final year will be equal to the amount funded by the state for cost of living adjustments. CUEA bargaining team member, Vicki Soderberg, told the representative council that the agreement also includes improvements to health benefits for certificated employees. The contract will expire in June 2004.
CUEA President Frank Weirath, credits the successful conclusion of the protracted negotiations to the unity of the CUEA members and the support of the parents and community. "Without the strong support of CUEA members, and the pressure put on the district by parents and the community, we would not have an agreement today," Weirath said.
Capistrano Unified School District is the last district in Orange County to settle their 2001-2002 contract with certificated employees.