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Teachers to Push for Better Pay at Debut School Board Meeting

The San Diego school board meets Tuesday for the first time this school year. Hundreds of teachers are expected to show up for that meeting. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

Teachers to Push for Better Pay at Debut School Board Meeting

The San Diego school board meets Tuesday for the first time this school year. Hundreds of teachers are expected to show up for that meeting. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

More than 200 teachers are expected to pack the meeting. They're taking the action to send a clear message: They want better pay and they want their healthcare benefits to be protected. The union and the district head into a new round of contract negotiations on Wednesday.

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Union president Camille Zombro says her members will grow more vocal if the district doesn't consider teachers. 

Zombro : The school board needs to think about priorities, they need to remember what their pros are. And frankly they have to stand face-to-face with the people who they are discussing in their negotiations.

The union and the district recently worked together to find ways to free up some money for pay hikes. Zombro says the district needs to act on some of those recommendations.

On average, San Diego teachers make about $54,000 dollars a year. Their salaries rank at the bottom compared to other San Diego County school districts.

Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.