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Labor talks yield progress
The Manhattan Beach Unified School District and its teachers made more progress at a Friday bargaining session, but could not reach an agreement. The teachers, whose labor agreement with the district expired in June, lowered their demands to a 13 per cent across-the-board salary increase from the 20 per cent they proposed in June. The district countered with three proposals, two tied to salary schedules of neighboring school districts and one that would increase salaries for everyone by 10 per cent effective Jan. 1, 2001. The teachers asked that the 10 per cent increase be retroactive to July 1 and refused to work an additional three days the district requested. The district stated that the teachers' position was beyond its means financially and left it out of step with competitive districts.
No new bargaining session is scheduled pending school board discussions on how to proceed.
K.C. goes to bat for Costa
Mira Costa senior K.C. Corkery, the 2000 CIF tennis champion, has donated to the high school money that he won from two tournaments over the summer. The money will go to the varsity athletic transportation fund to help students who can't afford the fees.
School district gets millions
Deputy school superintendent Scott Smith reported that the Manhattan Beach school district received $1.9 million in donations from various sources outside of tax dollars in 1999-2000. PTA's, the Education Foundation, Beach Cities Health District, TRW and Chevron were among the largest contributors. Smith said that $1.7 million in donations is projected for the 2000-2001 year.
Book drive for juveniles
The Los Angeles County Children's Court, which handles all cases of child abuse and neglect in the county, is embarking upon a new project to make books available for children of all ages. The idea is to have books for children and their caretakers to read while waiting for their cases, and then to take a book home with them when their cases are concluded. The court needs books that are in good condition, both in English and Spanish, for children of all ages. The books may be dropped off care of councilmember Joyce Fahey, a part-time children's court judge, at the Office of the Manhattan Beach City Manager at the Manhattan Beach City Hall, 1400 Highland Avenue, Manhattan Beach. ER