School board approves raise, bonus for teachers

Merced’s schoolteachers are getting a raise along with a one-time bonus.

The Merced City School District Board of Education unanimously granted the 504 members of the Merced City Teachers Association a 3 percent raise retroactive to July, a one-time 2 percent bonus for July through March and an additional 2 percent of their salary added to the district contribution for health benefits.

The raises will cost the district an additional $3 million.

Board member Susan Walsh said teachers went without raises for seven years and the district needs to pay people who do an excellent job.

“It’s been a tough couple of years,” Walsh said. “We’re delighted to be in a position to make this happen. Nobody gets rich in this work. At least we will make up some ground.”

Gary Arzamendi, MCTA president and a Joe Stefani Elementary School teacher, said association members are happy with the board’s decision.

“MCTA is real pleased with the agreement we reached with the Merced City School District,” Arzamendi said. “It was conservative but necessary to help us keep up with the economy. There are a lot of hardworking teachers, and this will help with the cost of medical coverage.”

Superintendent RoseMary Parga Duran said she thinks the agreement was a fair settlement.

“I wish we could give them more,” Duran said. “ I think they deserve it. They’re so positive and always give me 110 percent. I’m fortunate to have such a professional staff.”

Duran said teachers have been so patient for seven years and didn’t complain when there weren’t raises. Now the district can get back to where they should be, she added.

Board member Gene Stamm said it was a fair settlement with MCTA, and he has a good, positive feeling about it.

“Everybody worked as one to get it done,” Stamm said.

Board member Darrell Cherf said he supported the raises as long as the district’s other employee groups also get the same treatment.

This story was originally published November 6, 2014 at 6:55 PM with the headline "School board approves raise, bonus for teachers."