Even though the La Cañada Unified School District did not get its full share of Proposition 98 funds (see accompanying article), it was given cost of living adjustments (COLA) from the state. Local teachers, who are in protracted contract negotiations with the district, are questioning why the monies were not passed on to them.
"This year the COLA is, I believe, 2.47 percent and the funded increase is 3.57 percent," said Mary Jane Hufstedler, past president of the La Cañada Teachers Association (LCTA) and present chairperson of negotiations. "Teachers believe that they should have a raise that is at least equal to the COLA since the district received that percentage increase on all of the money received from the state."
An updated LCUSD financial report obtained last week showed the amount of general funding received for the present school year rose about 3.2 percent over the previous year. General funding for schools is based on average daily attendance (ADA) and because student population in La Cañada Flintridge is shrinking, percentage raises have been offset by the decreasing number of students.