Despite teachers' union opposition, Capistrano Unified's board of education voted last month to impose a 10 % cut to teacher salaries. Capistrano Unified board president Anna Bryson said the teacher salary cuts are needed to keep the district solvent as it faces a nearly $40 million budget deficit next fiscal year.
Upset parents organized a sick-out Tuesday to protest the possible pay cuts. More than 7,000 students called in sick.
If a strike is approved by a majority vote, union leaders can call a strike at their discretion and must give the school district two days notice.
The Capistrano Unified School District is the second largest school district in Orange County.
