The Los Angeles Unified School District held a news conference Tuesday to respond to a new state-ordered neutral fact-finding report addressing the current dispute between the school district and United Teachers Los Angeles, the union representing more than 33,000 teachers.

The report recommended that the district adopt a six percent salary increase, with three percent retroactive to July 1, 2017, and the other 3 percent retroactive to July 1, 2018.

LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner said at the news conference he is willing to negotiate, but warned that increasing salaries would mean less money would be available in other areas.

"The first thing we are telling parents is that we believe there is a path to avoid a strike," said Beutner. "That state has told us, this framework is what we and UTLA should be able to sit down, complete our bargaining and keep kids in school."

Beutner also said the teachers' union, "Has agreed to the 6 percent salary raise,'' and suggested the agreement on that issue, "Can provide the basis for a reasonable settlement of the remaining items.''

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UTLA posted a statement on its website describing Buetner's comments as his "latest stunt."

“Implying that an agreement has been reached tells us he is more interested in perpetuating falsehoods than finding a real path to an agreement that respects teachers, parents our students and communities,” said UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl.

UTLA also accused district officials of failing to negotiate in good faith.

"Throughout the last 20 months of bargaining, LAUSD has given almost no legitimate proposals," Caputo-Pearl said. "Working with high-priced consultants behind the scenes, Beutner lies about the budget and refuses to share public records. We demand he retract his statements made earlier today, and that he stop hoarding the close to $2 billion unrestricted reserves.” 

The union has been edging closer to a strike and last Saturday a large protest was held in downtown Los Angeles to raise awareness about current working conditions for teachers in the district.

Overcrowded classes, lack of counselors, psychologists, librarians, and inadequate technology are all among the concerns laid out by UTLA. 

Earlier, during the district's 30 minute news conference, Beutner addressed some of the specific concerns that could be raised by a teachers' strike. 

"We serve the needs of almost 20,000 students who are homeless. Where will they eat? Where will they find a safe place to use the restroom?" he said. 

However, the superintendent reassured parents that in the event of a strike, schools would be prepared.

"If there is a strike, we'll be prepared. Schools will be open, children will be safe and they'll be learning," he said, adding that the district is taking steps to prevent a strike.

"We'll work hard to avoid a strike. We hope UTLA will join us at the bargaining table to resolve this so we can best serve the needs of our students and families," he said.

City News Service contributed to this report.