Teachers and union urge fixes for salary compression; board approves external compensation study
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Summary
Veteran teachers and Madison Teachers Inc. urged immediate remedies for salary compression and voiced frustration with current processes. The board approved a $165,500 compensation and classification study to create a districtwide compensation philosophy and guide 2026–27 budget decisions.
Madison teachers, union representatives and veteran staff used the Jan. 26 meeting to press the board to fix salary compression — the gap created when new‑hire salaries rise faster than veteran steps — and to act quickly rather than wait for a lengthy consultant process.
Andrea Mizzarelli, president of Madison Teachers Inc., told the board: "It is time to stop asking our veteran staff to wait. It is time to make things right and ensure our most experienced educators feel valued." Multiple teachers described being paid less now than they would be if rehired today, and urged immediate corrective steps.
Board members debated item 10.9, a recommended compensation and classification study with Evergreen Solutions for $165,500. Supporters argued an external vendor can provide a comprehensive compensation philosophy and prevent piecemeal fixes that previously left employees out of corrections; opponents said some repairs could begin immediately and that a consultant could delay action.
Administration said the study would prioritize teacher compression and aim to provide recommendation timelines that inform the 2026–27 budget; CFO staff committed to delivering relevant teacher compensation recommendations before April to support budget planning. The motion to contract with Evergreen Solutions passed, and administrators said they will prioritize teacher classifications for early recommendations.
Separately, public commenters asked the board to consider not renewing a Van Nuys principal contract until the school’s staffing and morale issues are addressed. The board did not take immediate personnel action at the meeting.