As is often the case, the Santee school district and its teachers’ union are headed to mediation to resolve their ongoing contract dispute. Labor negotiations began last March, but have since reached a standstill. The two sides declared an impasse in October 2014 and have agreed to use a mediator in the New Year to settle the dispute.

There are currently more than 300 teachers working in the district without a contract. Mediation was scheduled to begin in late January at the district office.

The sticking point for the two sides was teachers’ pay and compensation for the next three years. The district is offering an increase of 5.65 percent, which includes a salary increase of four percent that would be retroactive to July 1, 2015. The remaining amount is made up of health insurance benefit increases of $1800 over the three year period of the contract.

Santee teachers earn an average of $94,000 per year, which includes compensation and benefits. The increase the district is offering would raise the average to $98,500 per year.

Prior to the start of mediation, there was a teachers’ rally at the district offices in support of mediation. The teachers claim their low salaries put students and the community at risk by not attracting quality teachers to the district to replace those who are retiring.