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CSEA members urge board to reject management pay increases; trustees approve raises and contract amendments
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Summary
CSEA members and district employees told the board the district should not increase executive/management pay amid declining enrollment and staff cuts. Despite public opposition, the board approved multiple salary-schedule increases and amendments to assistant‑superintendent and superintendent contracts by unanimous vote.
Several representatives of the California School Employees Association and district staff urged the Calexico Unified School District board to reject proposed management and executive pay increases, arguing the raises conflict with prior negotiation statements that there was no funding and citing declining enrollment and staff reductions.
"When their increases fall behind those of management, it creates a perception ... that their contributions are valued less," Judy Lopez, lead negotiator for CSEA Chapter 399, told the board during public comment. Alejandra Zamora, a school support technician and CSEA second vice president, said classified staff were repeatedly told there was no money during negotiations and found it difficult to justify a substantial proposed increase for the executive cabinet while positions remain unfilled.
Elizabeth Esqueda, CSEA Chapter 399 president, noted that classified employees received a 2.35% increase and said the proposed total compensation increases for management would exceed that share. "Approving salary increases for management, especially at the highest level, including the superintendent, sends a clear and troubling message," Esqueda said.
Renee Pollard, Labor Relations Representative, summarized members’ concerns about health‑premium cost increases (staff reporting out‑of‑pocket premiums as high as $600 per month) and highlighted a board compensation increase previously approved. "It is logically inconsistent to claim a lack of funds during our recent negotiations while simultaneously finding hundreds of thousands of dollars to increase the compensation of the district's highest paid individuals," Pollard said.
Board action: despite these comments, trustees moved forward with multiple voted items. The board ratified the CSEA tentative agreement and approved salary schedule increases for classified and certificated management, confidential staff, and unrepresented staff (voice votes recorded as 5–0). The board also approved amendments to assistant superintendent contracts and an amendment to the superintendent’s contract by unanimous vote.
Specific compensation figures presented on the record (summarized by Romel Guerrero during the required oral reports): assistant superintendent of educational services Elisa Ramirez: $232,975 effective 01/01/2026 and $238,590 effective 07/01/2026; assistant superintendent of business services Luisa La Torre: $211,847 effective 01/01/2026 and $222,327 effective 07/01/2026; assistant superintendent of human resources and risk management Romel Guerrero: $227,600 effective 01/01/2026 and $233,086 effective 07/01/2026. The superintendent’s amended salary figures were presented as $268,418 effective 01/01/2026 and $283,133 effective 07/01/2026, with annual step increases tied to satisfactory performance ratings and an executive coach allowance not to exceed $10,000 annually.
What happens next: The salary amendments and contract updates take effect on the dates presented in the contract amendments; the board directed staff to return at the next meeting with an option to align classified management salary schedules with certificated management where feasible. Public commenters asked the board to reconsider or delay the executive increases; the board proceeded with the actions recorded on the meeting agenda.
(Quotations and attributions are taken from public comment and the required oral reports presented at the April 23 board meeting.)
