LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Clark County School Superintendent Dr. Jesus Jara apologized to teachers on Monday when discussing a new contract between the district and the union representing teachers, the Clark County Education Association.
“To our veteran teachers, I’m sorry that I couldn’t convince or have a conversation with CCEA about the inequities in the salary schedule that exist for those teachers who have been giving so much of their life to our community. I’m sorry I couldn’t get that deal done for them,” said Jara.
Jara says the issue is one reason he held out during negotiations with CCEA, sparking protest and court action over teacher callouts. Teachers calling out forced some schools to close because of a lack of staff for students. Jara says pay inequity was an issue before he arrived in Las Vegas and says he was trying to take care of it.
“Now, the new salary schedule, I have teachers that are now going to be coming in making more money than some of those who are here because they are going to get compensated for their years of service and their education. That is huge,” said Jara.
Many teachers are celebrating the historic $750 million deal with the school district. The two-year agreement came after nine months of negotiations, as educators fought for better pay and benefits.
The deal includes a ten percent raise for educators in the first year, starting July 1, and eight percent the following year. Back pay was also effective on July 1, 2023, and will be disbursed starting in the first pay period of March of this year. There is also an increase in extra duty pay from $31.50 to $50 an hour, as well as a $5,000 bonus for special education teachers and teachers in Title One schools with five percent vacancies, among other things.
Jara believes inequities are going to grow and said the district tried to address it early on in negotiations. He said it’s the kind of discussion that needs to happen at the bargaining table and be open to the public. FOX5 asked Jara if he thinks the pay inequity issue is CCEA’s fault.
“I would argue that it is,” said Jara.
“Jara and CCSD placed people on that salary schedule, we didn’t. So, if he didn’t properly place people where their compensation level is, that’s on him, not us. It’s very disingenuous for him to now say somehow the union is the reason why you’re placed at a lower salary schedule. The district, the employer, places people on the salary schedule,” CCEA Executive Director John Vellardita told FOX5 Monday.
Vellardita also said Jara hasn’t been true to teachers since the day he was hired several years ago and that teachers have to ask themselves, “Do they really believe that this superintendent has their back and had a big payday for them?
Vellardita said Jara has to go.
Copyright 2024 KVVU. All rights reserved.
