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Teachers, union and community press Washington Unified on pay and health care during packed public-comment session
Summary
Union leaders, teachers, parents and students told the board that health‑care costs and rising benefit premiums are pushing experienced educators to resign; speakers criticized a district graphic portraying a 16.9% pay increase as misleading and urged a fair settlement in negotiations.
The Washington Unified School District board heard extended testimony that framed compensation and health‑care coverage as the most urgent issues facing its educators. WSTA leadership told trustees the district’s communications about a 16.9% pay increase since 2019 omitted context about inflation and rising benefit costs and urged the board to settle bargaining to retain staff.
During the public‑comment block, veterans and current teachers described the financial strain of district insurance premiums. Marlena Schroeder Spivey, a 17‑year River City High School teacher, said she pays roughly…
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