After public comments, Natomas Unified board approves modest stipend increase 3–2

The Natomas Unified School District Board approved a modest increase to board member stipends, voting 3–2 after extended public comment and trustee discussion.

Three members of the public spoke during the item. "I'm here today as president of the Tillman's Teacher Association to express concern about the board's consideration to give themselves possibly up to $2,000 a month in stipends," said Niko Vaccaro, who identified himself as president of the Tillman's Teacher Association. Parent Ebony Young told trustees, "That 5% raise that you're requesting, it's an option. It's not something you have to take." Camille Sutton, a parent of three Natomas Unified students, said the board had "failed their fiscal responsibility" and criticized administrative pay, adding that the board should not raise its own pay while teachers recently struck.

Trustees debated timing and the optics of a pay increase in the wake of recent bargaining. Trustee Moore said she would vote no because she believed the item was "perhaps the least appropriate time to have it on the agenda." The Board President defended the suggestion as an effort to make service accessible and proposed a compromise: increase stipends modestly to $1,000 and give the superintendent discretion to revisit whether to move to the maximum in June.

The board then voted by roll call: Dossick (Aye), Grant (Aye), Harden (No), Meta (Aye), Mora (No). The motion carried 3–2. Board materials and the clerk's record show the increase is effective 04/01/2026, with the superintendent to return to the board in June to review whether further changes are appropriate.