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Teachers, paraprofessionals and unions press board for raises and better benefits; public voices highlight low pay, health-care gaps and staffing concerns
Summary
During public comment at the April 22 board meeting, union leaders and dozens of teachers, paraprofessionals and parents urged raises, improved health benefits and more hours for paraprofessionals. UESF said it has proposed a 21% raise over three years and asked the board to support bargaining priorities as revenue outlook improves.
Union leaders, classroom teachers and district employees used the public comment period to press the San Francisco Board of Education for stronger contract terms on pay, hours and benefits.
Susan Solomon, executive vice president of United Educators of San Francisco, thanked the oversight committee but said bargaining priorities include salary, improved family health insurance and improved paraprofessional compensation. Solomon said the union proposed a 21% raise spread over three years and cited rising cost-of-living pressures and teacher turnover as core concerns.
Teachers and paraprofessionals described day-to-day hardship: one teacher said family health insurance premiums for her children were about $700 a month; paraprofessionals and substitutes described average annual pay near or under $25,000 and $18.28 hourly daily substitute rates, respectively, often leaving staff unable to pay rent in San Francisco.
Several union and labor representatives previewed upcoming bargaining: King Louie (IFPT Local 21) urged the board to direct the district to negotiate fairly after years without raises; Yvonne Johnson Miller (SEIU chapter president) said her membership plans to open health-care and wage proposals in bargaining. Other labor allies (SEIU, UESF, United Transportation) pledged solidarity.
Board response and context: Board members acknowledged the testimony and noted improved revenue projections (Prop 30, LCFF) and the need to set bargaining priorities, but took no immediate wage action that night. The superintendent and staff said they would bring proposals through the appropriate labor and budget channels; unions expected to begin bargaining in the coming weeks.
Why it matters: Contract outcomes affect retention of teachers and paraprofessionals, access to health care for employee families, and the districtability to staff schools. Large numbers of speakers and union representatives signaled sustained public pressure ahead of bargaining.
