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Teachers urge pay fixes after bargaining stalls as district offers 2% raise
Summary
Teachers and classified staff used public comment at the Washington Unified board meeting to press for higher pay and faster bargaining progress, citing a reported $16 million budget overage and saying the district's 2% counterproposal is inadequate to retain experienced educators.
Teachers and classified staff implored Washington Unified trustees at the May 22 board meeting to accelerate contract talks and raise pay amid persistent staffing and retention concerns.
Evan Peterson, a classroom teacher who identified himself as having five years in the district, said teachers face impossible choices between further education and keeping a roof over their heads. "If I worked in a neighboring district, I could be making $16,000 more than I'm making now," Peterson told the board, saying the cost of finishing a master's degree (about $10,000) is out of reach on current pay.
Several other speakers — including second-grade teacher Karen Berg and staff representatives for both certificated and classified employees — pointed to a year-end $16 million budget overage and called the district's proposed 2% raise for the next two years insufficient. "Two is less than three," said Andrew Peg, summarizing that a 2% raise falls short of recent inflation and leaves employees with reduced buying power.
Jessica Paget, vice president of the West Sacramento Teachers Association who spoke for the union, told the board that bargaining dates were difficult to schedule at the end of the school year and defended the union's caution: the bargaining team is reluctant to accept rushed talks that shortchange members. Paget also criticized automatic 4.25% annual increases awarded to some administrators, calling the arrangement inequitable while classroom staff continue to press for larger raises.
Board members acknowledged the intensity of the public comments and said they would seek clearer updates on the negotiation timeline. Trustees and district leaders asked for patience while negotiations continue but many speakers said they want faster, more transparent action to stem educator departures.
The board did not take action on bargaining terms at the meeting; public commenters urged direction and faster scheduling from trustees ahead of fall negotiations.
