The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has agreed to a compromise with the United Teachers LA (UTLA) union to avoid a potential strike. The district agreed to raise "salary scales" by 11.65%, leading to an average salary increase of nearly 14%. There may be further concessions as negotiations with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) also begin. The deal was made in an election year, where powerful teachers' unions often control who wins and loses. However, the district is also dealing with scandals such as Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho on administrative leave and former LAUSD technical project manager Hong “Grace” Peng in connection with a $22 million fraud scheme.