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District educators press board to prioritize affordable health care, pay and supports
Summary
Teachers, classified staff and union leaders urged the Yucaipa‑Calimesa board during public comment to address rising health‑care premiums and compensation, warning of burnout and retention risks and asking the board to prioritize the district budget toward employees' stability.
At the Yucaipa‑Calimesa Joint Unified School District board meeting, multiple educators and classified staff used the public‑comment period to press the board to take concrete steps on rising employee health‑care costs and compensation.
"Affordable health care should not be one more burden for our dedicated educators to carry," Christine Dorny, who identified herself as president of the educators association, told the board. Dorny said many staff are feeling the impact of decisions made outside the district and urged the board to examine budget priorities and negotiations to relieve pressure on employees.
Brandy Gardner, who said she has been a paraprofessional in the district for more than 20 years and serves as a treasurer/negotiator for the California School Employees Association, framed the issue as one of dignity and livability: "We are not asking for luxury. We are asking for livability," she said, calling for the district to invest in the people who keep schools running.
Other speakers included interventionist Kenny Hall, who warned that teachers are overloaded with initiatives and urged leaders to stop low‑impact practices so staff can focus on instruction; intervention specialist Candy Solano, who said a proposed health‑care increase would cost her family roughly $1,500 more a year; and Jenna Beck, a Baldwin Elementary teacher, who urged meaningful action on compensation and affordable benefits.
Board members publicly thanked the speakers and noted ongoing communication with staff. The chair acknowledged receipt of emails and correspondence and said staff will continue budget work and negotiations; no formal board action on benefits or salaries was taken at this meeting.
Why it matters: several speakers tied personnel stability and student supports to affordable health care and fair compensation, framing the issue as central to retention and instructional quality. Commenters asked the board to prioritize employee wellbeing in upcoming budget and negotiation decisions.
Next steps: the board indicated it is reviewing budget priorities and continuing negotiations with employee groups; speakers requested the board keep staff and the public informed on concrete steps.
