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Teachers and community speakers press board on pay, staffing and facility equity
Summary
During public comment dozens of speakers — teachers, parents, union representatives and residents — urged higher teacher pay, criticized consulting/celebrity spending, raised facility inequities and called for long‑term, sustainable solutions rather than temporary programs; several urged the board and county administrator to prioritize teacher salaries and local control.
Dozens of community members and district employees used the public‑comment periods to press the board for action on teacher pay, staffing, facilities and district accountability.
Teachers and staff repeatedly said the district has funds in reserve and should pass cost‑of‑living adjustments (COLA) directly to classroom educators rather than seeking waivers. Kia Myers told the board, “For years, the district has taken COLA funds from the state for cost‑of‑living raises for the teachers, but sought waivers every year to avoid passing those raises onto teachers,” and argued the district could afford raises given reserve levels. Several speakers — including union representatives and classroom teachers — said low pay drives turnover and leaves teachers unable to take care of their families.
Public commenters also questioned district spending priorities. John Hughes and others criticized reliance on consultants and questioned high leadership compensation, while Diane Sembrano asked for clearer, dollar‑level disclosures on agenda items (referencing an obligation bond listed as $21,000,000) and expressed concern about advertising revenue and perceived opacity. Several speakers invoked the district’s low ranking (reported as 47th) and urged that resources be directed to classrooms rather than prestige projects. Dr. Cecily Benjamin invoked equity and race when urging higher pay for long‑serving Black and brown teachers.
Other commenters raised specific program and facility issues: John Martin proposed leasing Highland for a community‑school model and offered a revenue example; Jerzin Lopez from the Carpenters Union urged the board to adopt a Career Connections program to give students trade pathways; Isabella Franco, a student, invoked Education Code provisions to challenge grading practices at her school and asked staff to accept documents for follow‑up.
Board members acknowledged the comments throughout the meeting and repeatedly thanked teachers and staff for their service. The public record included sharp critiques and demands for immediate action on pay, plus calls for transparency and facility equality. The district did not take immediate policy action at the May 6 meeting on pay; members said budget and negotiations work will continue in the audit/finance committee and in bargaining.
