The Los Angeles Board of Education opened contracts talks with its influential employee unions this week, setting the stage for arduous decisions this summer over whether the district can

pay for school reform programs as well employee salary increases. United Teachers-Los Angeles has demanded that the district restore a 10% salary reduction that was imposed last year amid

massive budget cuts. Other employee unions, including those representing clerical workers and school police, are also seeking various levels of salary restoration packages. School board

members and Supt. Sid Thompson said salary increases are a top priority, but are not optimistic that they will be fully restored soon. In a budget report Monday, Thompson recommended that