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Teachers’ association president urges Temecula Valley Unified to address rising health-care costs and staff retention
Summary
Cindy Hurley, who identified herself as president of a local educators association, told the board that rising medical premiums and stagnant pay are driving staff toward neighboring districts and urged the board to secure ongoing compensation increases and timely contract settlements.
Cindy Hurley, identified in the transcript as president of a local educators association, used the close-session public-comment period to urge the governing board to prioritize compensation and benefits for certificated and classified staff.
Hurley told the board that although health-insurance premiums have increased by roughly 6–8 percent, employees continue to bear the full cost of those increases, eroding take-home pay. “We are actually earning less than we did before,” she said, arguing the district’s inaction amounts to a pay cut for current employees and risks staff churn as neighboring districts offer higher starting pay.
Hurley called for the board to honor timely contract agreements and to consider mechanisms that ensure any cost-of-living adjustments reach employees directly. She also urged the board to match stipends and other adjustments made by nearby districts so the district can “attract and retain the best teachers” and maintain stable schools.
The board did not respond on the record during the public-comment period captured in this transcript; the meeting then moved into closed session. Hurley’s remarks were made during the close-session public-comment portion of the meeting and were limited by the board’s three-minute speaking rule.
