KING CITY, Cali. - There are more problems for schools in King City. Tonight, the California Teachers Association is suing to force the Monterey County School Superintendent to approve a deal reached several months ago.
Teachers say Nancy Kotowski's actions could cost the district more than 5 and a half million dollars. They approved the cost cutting deal in February and the school board approved it in March. But the next day, Kotowski killed the deal. Now, teachers want a judge to do something about it.
"The County Office of Education approved this settlement and now they're saying that they're not going to approve it," says Tim Swoverland, King City High School Teachers Association President.
Swoverland says he's puzzled why Monterey County Superintendent Nancy Kotowski rejected the teachers' labor contract. He says teachers in the district have reduced health benefits, agreed to teach more students per day, lower stipends and other concessions to save the district millions of dollars.
"The district was going to save money, substantial amounts of money, 5.6 million dollars and she decided either that wasn't enough, and that's a big gamble," says Swoverland.
The California Teachers Association is taking it to court. Teachers say Superintendent Kotowski abused her discretion, by staying and rescinding action. Now, Nancy Kotowski is facing a lawsuit.
"I have not received notification of a legal procedure regarding the King City Joint Unified High School District. I acted in accordance with the education code and AB 1200, which identifies the fiscal oversight responsibilities of the County Superintendent of Schools," says Nancy Kotowski.
Kotowski says the tentative agreement was too little, too late, and they did not correct the structural problem of the budget. Swoverland says the formula was corrected and given by the state.
"If we can have the agreement that the district and the board of trustees and the teachers association agreed to, we believe we could make substantial strides in reducing our debt and also start concentrating on what's best for the kids," says Swoverland.
