Capistrano teachers continue strike; school attendance low
A school bus approaches a group of striking teachers outside Aliso Niguel High School in Aliso Viejo on the second day of the teachers' strike. (Mark Boster/Los Angeles Times)
Updated 2:46 p.m.
ALISO VIEJO — Capistrano Unified School District teachers were out on strike Friday for a second day in row because of 10 percent pay cuts, as student attendance continued to plummet.
Teachers picketed all 56 schools in the district Thursday, and student attendance was less than 50 percent.
Friday, only about 10 percent of high school students went to school, down from 23 percent Thursday. Middle school attendance was 27 percent, down from 39 percent Thursday, and elementary school attendance was about 45 percent, down from 48 percent Thursday, according to the school district.
The percentage of classroom teachers reporting to work was about 11 percent, compared to about 12 percent who crossed the picket lines on Thursday. Those who struck won’t get paid, said district spokeswoman Julie Hatchel.
Pay cuts of 10.1 percent were instituted to help balance the district’s budget. The Capistrano Unified Education Association, which has about 2,200 teachers as members, has agreed to the pay cuts — but only if their pay is restored on June 30, 2011.
The pay cuts are projected to save the district about $19.9 million, but the district still needs to close a $34 million
Read more: http://www.oclnn.com/orange-county/2010-04-23/education/capistrano-teachers-to-continue-strike-friday#ixzz0m1WGo3jG