Council doles out more cash or else risk financial repercussion — remained in place.
“I did not choose to stay away because I was afraid of losing the $189,000,” Braham said. “Absolutely not.”
When the matter of the 5-percent salary raise involving the Santa Monica- Malibu Classroom Teachers Association came before the administration, Braham said he recommended an increase of about 3 percent. What was ultimately approved by the Board of Education was a 5-percent hike. Braham estimated the actual increase would end up being an average of a 9-percent raise per teacher, due to stipends and so forth.
Then came the AB1200, a document that looks at the impacts of the collective bargaining agreement on the district’s finances.
When it came time to sign off on the document, certifying that the district could sustain itself with a 5-percent teacher raise, Braham declined to do so, instead signing that he could not certify the document.
In a series of questions, Council member Bobby Shriver asked if Braham’s reluctance to certify the AB1200 made it difficult to work in the district.
“Sure it became tough to work in the district and to be there,” Braham replied, stating that he would not speak on the specifics of his exit. “Remember, my number one position is to maintain a viable (and) strong district.”
It was his job to provide the best advice, and once his advice pertaining to the sus-tainability of the district was not received — when a disagreement arose over the AB1200, he felt that “I might have to be the first to say good-bye,” Braham said.
Braham expressed his desire to move on and hopes the district will be able to heal.
Following his long-awaited appearance before the City Council, Braham quietly slipped out of City Hall.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 14, 2007. Read the original PDF.