Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 140

10 THE TEMPE REPUBLIC THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2006 ASU welcomes O'Connor with renaming of law college TEMPE MEWS "And ifs turned out very well." White said the college is also the nation's first law school to be named after a contemporary woman. Gov. Janet Napolitano, an ASU law alumnus, said it was only appropriate to name the school after a trailblazer such as O'Connor. "Only a third of her class (at Stanford University) were women," she said, but now nearly half of ASU law students are women. "She clearly changed the legal profession." Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice el Alito was appointed to the bench.

White said O'Connor quickly gave her approval. "We believe this is the first major law school in the country to be named after a living person solely on the basis of merit," White said. O'Connor, who spent her early childhood in Arizona before returning to the state after law school, became a member of the state Senate in 1969 shortly before the law school opened in 1970. "I remember how great the need was for a law school and wondered how it would turn out," O'Connor said via a Webcast. Ruth McGregor, a former clerk for O'Connor, said O'Connor taught her about preparation and details.

McGregor said she was "excited" about the impact the name change could have, adding that the move would familiarize others with O'Connor's legacy. In the Webcast, O'Connor said she plans to return to the Valley in June. White said a more formal celebration would take place at that time. O'Connor said she plans to play an active role at the law school, but concrete plans have yet to be established. By Eugene Scott EUGENE.SCOTTcARIZONAREPUBLIC.COM The Arizona State University law school was renamed the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law on Wednesday, honoring the former U.S.

Supreme Court justice with strong Arizona ties. "She represents what we are. She represents what we want to be," ASU President Michael Crow said. "Ifs the perfect linkage and the perfect match." Crow and ASU Law Dean Patricia White approached O'Connor about the idea shortly after Supreme Court Justice Samu all Kyrene teachers approved by board Pay raise for By Colleen Sparks COlLEEN.SPARKSiaARIZONAREPUBLIC.COM After initial conflict and last-minute negotiations, Kyrene teachers and district administrators this week agreed on raises for all teachers, including a boost to recognize the most experienced educators and to lure newcomers. The teachers' work team and district group reached an agreement after previous unsuccessful attempts.

The proposal was delivered to the School Board on Tuesday afternoon. The Kyrene Elementary School District governing board unanimously approved the salaries that included raises ranging from $1,120 to $1,720 for teachers and other certified staff. That doesn't include extra pay teachers can earn each time they complete another 15 credit hours beyond a bachelor's degree. Up until late Tuesday afternoon, the teachers' and the administrators' work teams could not agree on salaries for teachers. The teachers' group wanted to award teachers at the top of the salary plans with higher raises than the district team did.

The district team had pitched higher raises for less experienced teachers than the teachers' side had. But both sides appeared happy with the result. "This is a significant agreement," Kyrene de la Mirada Elementary School A look at salaries in 3 area school districts The Kyrene Elementary School District governing board Tuesday approved salaries for teachers and other certified staff for next school year. In the 2006-07 year: Kyrene starting teachers with a bachelor's degree will earn $32,456. The most experienced teacher with a doctorate will earn $61,856.

In Chandler Unified School District this year, a starting teacher with a bachelor's degree earns $33,051. The highest teacher salary on the pay scale is $64,518. In Tempe Union High School District this year, a starting teacher with a bachelor's degree earns $34,335. The highest teacher salary on the pay plan is $66,617. None of the above salaries includes benefits or extra bonuses available to some teachers.

Chandler and Tempe Union districts have not yet approved salaries for 2006-07. Source: Chandler Unified, Kyrene Elementary and Tempe Union High School districts. teacher Diane Duffy, who served on the negotiations team, told the board. "This is everything we worked for. We're thrilled that not one single teacher is going to experience a net loss." District Assistant Superintendent Victoria Taylor, chairwoman on the district's team, sounded relieved.

"This is the closest we've gotten in terms of a last-minute proposal," Taylor said. "It feels wonderful." Teachers with at least a master's degree who are at the highest spot on the pay scale will add an extra $1,270 onto their base salaries during the 2006-07 school year, under the plan approved Tuesday. A teacher with at least a bachelor's degree who has hit the top of the pay plan as far as experience will get an extra $1,120 over base pay next year. A teacher with no previous experience and a bachelor's degree will earn $32,456, not including benefits, $820 more than this year's starting pay. "I'm very pleased," said Jan Bartelt, a teacher on the negotiations team.

"This is a positive reflection on our hard work. We're very clear that you value teachers, that you value competitive salaries." Kyrene Centennial Middle School teacher Margaret McNulty said she is happy that the board recognized teachers who are maxed out on the pay scale because of experience. She has taught in Ky Traditional Ballroom Country Wetorn Swing Salsa Ijitin Club OlRiniaar rene for 18 years and has a master's degree. "That was very important to the veteran teachers," said McNulty, adding that starting pay will also be "more competitive with Chandler," a neighboring district. Taylor said the raises are possible because the district can use money generated by all-day kindergarten, Kyrene Kids Club and other fee-based programs.

She said the district anticipates it will be able to repay those funds with money the Arizona Legislature provides it next year. "You've shown us through your actions and efforts that you're willing to go beyond for us," said Anna Montalbo, a teacher and president of the Kyrene Education Association, the group that represents teachers. Board President Rich Zawtocki said the agreement shows the good collaboration between teachers and the district "The greatest thing about today is ifs an example of us all being on one team," he said. The board on Tuesday also approved: Giving employees the chance to opt out of the districf health insurance if they have insurance through other means. Decreasing out-of-pocket costs that employees pay when they go to medical appointments.

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