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Simi Valley Unified board approves salary increases for six top administrators amid public pushback
Summary
The Simi Valley Unified Board approved employment agreements and salary step increases for six district executives after roll-call votes; the decisions drew sustained public criticism over equity and employee healthcare costs and prompted calls to prioritize frontline staff.
The Simi Valley Unified School District Board of Education approved employment agreements for multiple district executives on motions moved by Trustee Resnick and seconded by Trustee James, recording roll-call votes in open session that carried the measures.
The actions included approval of an Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Services agreement with a $10,516.76 salary increase and similar contracts for associate and assistant superintendents with increases ranging from about $10,500 to $14,486.97. The board also approved a superintendent contract amendment with an $18,814.55 increase. Clerk Gibran read the motions and roll calls; the board recorded ‘Aye’ votes for the listed items.
Why it matters: Public commenters said the raises widen gaps between executive pay and frontline staff compensation, at a time when classified employees face rising healthcare costs and proposed new spouse-add fees in bargaining. Tony, a resident who addressed the board during public comment, urged trustees to reject the increases and to focus on “priorities, fairness and whether district leadership understands the reality facing the employees who keep the district running every day.” Nikki LaCrosse, president of the Simi Valley Classified Union Chapter, told the board that the aggregate increase for executives equated to tens of thousands of dollars that could otherwise be used to offset rising employee healthcare costs.
Votes at a glance: - Item 1.1 (Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Services): motion moved by Trustee Resnick, seconded by Trustee James; roll-call result: Trustee Pietrangelo Aye; Trustee Resnick Aye; Trustee James Aye; Clerk Gibran Aye; President Smolin Aye — approved. - Item 2.1–2.5 (assignment of assistant/associate superintendent agreements): motions moved by Trustee Resnick, seconded by Trustee James; roll-call votes recorded as Aye across the board — approved.
What the board said: Superintendent Dr. Hani Yosef acknowledged community concern during his communications, pointed residents to recruitment postings for campus supervisors and said he appreciated public passion. The superintendent also stated that certain trainings (PRISM) are a state requirement and therefore not locally negotiable.
Next steps: Several public commenters urged the board to reallocate funds to employee healthcare and frontline staffing during upcoming negotiations and budget deliberations; board members said they will continue conversations during the summer and at upcoming budget meetings.
