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Teachers raise alarm over pay, health‑care increases and morale at Claremont Unified board meeting
Summary
Multiple teachers, union leaders and parents told the Claremont Unified School District board that teachers are underpaid relative to neighboring districts, face steep proposed health‑care premium increases and report low morale that threatens retention. Speakers asked the board to prioritize teacher compensation and reverse proposed premium hikes.
Teachers, union representatives and parents pressed the Claremont Unified School District board on teacher compensation, rising health‑care premiums and low staff morale during public comment at the district—s regular board meeting.
Jennifer Gomez, a 23‑year district teacher, presented salary comparisons from 26 neighboring districts and said Claremont ranks near the bottom for lifetime earnings. Gomez told the board that Claremont requires more coursework for top pay and said, “We are asking for more education and more investment from our teachers, and we are paying them less in return.” She asked the board to acknowledge the gap and to make teacher investment a priority.
Multiple staff speakers echoed that message. Missy Wanakotte, vice president of the Claremont Faculty Association, urged the board to keep teachers at the forefront of budget and contract decisions. Second‑year teacher Stephanie Gutierrez called for competitive wages and benefits and said, “The decision to increase our premiums must be reversed.” Special education teacher Shane Heil described falling morale at Claremont High School, warning that “Teachers are angry. Teachers are frustrated,” and linked heavy workloads, growing administrative duties and inadequate pay to retention risks.
Lisa Schuster, a 22‑year elementary teacher, read a district email notifying staff that family health‑care premiums will rise from $395 to $745 per month next January, estimating a roughly $350 monthly net pay reduction for her household. Liddy (Lydia) Hernandez, a longtime classroom teacher and parent, said the district—s earlier decision to move the school year up two weeks — effectively cutting summer time for teachers — compounded pay concerns, and called recent raises insufficient.
Board members acknowledged the comments and noted the district—s ongoing budget work. The board adopted resolutions honoring teachers and classified staff during the same meeting but took no immediate action to reverse premium changes; staff said budget decisions and the formal LCAP (Local Control and Accountability Plan) and budget adoption are scheduled for public meetings in June. Several speakers asked the board to prioritize compensation in those upcoming budget decisions.
What happens next: the board will consider the district—s budget and LCAP at a special meeting on June 22 after a public hearing scheduled for June 18. Teachers requested that any revisions to health‑care or salary proposals be shared in follow‑up materials before those meetings.
