MIDDLE MANAGERS SEEK 6% PAY RAISE FROM LAUSD.

Byline: Helen Gao Staff Writer

Mired in a financial crisis, the Los Angeles Unified School District is facing demands for a substantial pay raise from its middle managers, officials said Tuesday.

Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, which represents about 3,500 active and retired LAUSD managers, is seeking a salary increase of no less than 6 percent, according to the AALA's bargaining proposal.

In addition, the AALA wants the district to pay principals and other administrators more for ``extra effort and additional time beyond the regular workday,'' to restore sabbaticals and to fund extra support personnel at schools.

``It's just really harder (to be a principal). There is a tremendous amount of paperwork. There is a lot of crowding,'' said Mike O'Sullivan, newly elected president of the AALA.

The AALA's bargaining proposal comes as United Teachers Los Angeles is seeking higher pay. The UTLA is demanding that the district raise all of its members' pay to the top quartile in Los Angeles County - equal to an increase of up to $4,071 each, depending on experience and education.

At its Tuesday meeting, the board also approved spending $23,267 per month to retain Kevin Reed, partner at the law firm of Strumwasser & Woocher, LLP, as interim general counsel for the district.

Reed replaces Harold Kwalwasser, who was terminated by Superintendent Roy Romer in June.

Helen Gao, [phone]

helen.gao(at)dailynews.com