Negotiations with Manhattan Beach Unified School District postponed due to bomb threat

By Lauren Farberman

Staff Writer

The Mira Costa California School Employees Association postponed negotiations with the district’s negotiating team due to an anonymous bomb threat sent to Costa on Dec. 7

Negotiations focus on teacher salaries and the committee is made up of the Manhattan Beach Unified School District superintendent Dr. Mike Matthews, Costa principal Dr. Ben Dale and a lawyer. Costa English teacher and member of CSEA Shawn Chen said, the leading financial superintendent would normally be a part of the team, but in this case Matthews took the role.

“Since the district’s leading financial superintendent is most familiar with the budget and budget formulas, it makes it more efficient to have that person serve on the team,” Chen said. “When a superintendent such as Matthews is on the negotiating team it can be difficult for them to argue for the teacher’s side.”

The district has sent its actual financial assessment to LA County. Chen said a focus of negotiations is for the district to show their support for staff who have been working extra hours to implement a slew of new programs, such as integrating common core into their curriculum. The negotiations include recognition for teachers who have been putting additional time for their students.

“With common core implementation and many new committees, teachers have taken on an unprecedented leadership role outside of the classroom over the past few years,” Chen said. “The incredible professionalism of our teachers is the chief asset of this district.”