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Teachers tell board health‑care increases could turn raises into pay cuts; urge larger compromise
Summary
Multiple teachers and counselors used public comment to tell the board that rising health‑care costs will largely negate proposed raises, called the current offer insufficient and asked trustees to prioritize meaningful salary adjustments to retain staff.
Nine public commenters, largely classroom teachers and counselors, told the Yucaipa‑Calimesa board that proposed salary adjustments would not offset rising health‑care costs and urged the board to prioritize meaningful raises.
Speakers representing classroom staff and counseling programs described the day‑to‑day strain of rising housing and living costs and said health‑care premium increases could leave many staff with a net loss. One commenter said the district’s current offer would leave many employees with “only a $10 a month increase” after health‑care changes and added, “That’s not a raise. That’s a pay cut.” The same speaker asked the board to consider the district’s reported 2024‑25 year‑end fund balance of roughly $12.3 million when weighing compensation decisions.
Multiple teachers described their long service, caregiving responsibilities, and extra unpaid work they perform to sustain programs. A counselor outlined increased caseloads tied to student mental‑health needs and urged that salary and benefits reflect expanded responsibilities. Another teacher detailed comparisons with 30 nearby districts and argued the current salary schedule leaves early‑career teachers near the middle and veteran teachers comparatively lower by regional standards.
Board members acknowledged hearing the comments and said they will continue to engage through negotiations and follow‑up communications. No formal vote or salary action was taken during public comment; the board’s staff and trustees said negotiations and budget reviews would continue.
Quotes in this article are drawn from the public comment record delivered at the board meeting, where multiple speakers requested the board to prioritize staff retention through a fair and meaningful compensation package.
