Tentative Agreement Reached in Hart District Teacher Contract Dispute
Mar 15, 2024 - After weeks of tense negotiations, a glimmer of hope emerged for the Hart District Teachers Association (HDTA) and the William S. Hart Union High School District. Both parties reached a tentative agreement on Wednesday, potentially ending their protracted contract dispute.
This agreement, however, requires ratification by various stakeholders. The Los Angeles County Office of Education, the HDTA membership, and the Hart district governing board all need to approve the deal.
The lack of a contract since June 2023 has caused significant worry among educators. This frustration culminated in a passionate rally on March 13th, where HDTA President John Minkus demanded a fair contract from the board. The rally also highlighted concerns about potential layoffs due to the district's financial struggles.
The district's proposed fiscal stabilization plan includes layoffs, but it prioritizes achieving staff reductions through voluntary departures or retirements. The tentative agreement, if ratified, could bring much-needed stability for the district's teachers and staff.
Negotiations centered heavily on compensation, culminating in the district's "Last, Best, and Final" offer. This offer provides a 2% ongoing salary increase, a one-time 2% payment, and no increase to hourly rates. While justifying the offer, the district pointed to a recent cost-of-living adjustment applied to school funding.
The HDTA will present this offer to its members for ratification at a future meeting. Members will receive emails with details on the meeting date, time, and a summary of the proposed contract changes. This will allow them to make an informed decision on the proposed agreement.