After hiking pay 19% over past two years, district offers teachers 4% raise as projections show expenses surpassing revenues in years ahead; union files for impasse; park name reversal
Thank you. You have always had a good finger in the pulse of the district and this information is deep so I don’t claim to understand it all. It would be wonderful to have the unions perspective here as well so I hope they see this and respond.
But my worry is not looking back to the LACK of adequate wages prior to the 19% increase as well as the increases in health care insurance costs and cost of living. If anyone suffers from cost of living increases it is our teachers who spend their own money for supplies the school can’t supply and that parents assume are going to be provided.
We need for teachers to be able to afford to live where they work. And our county is third highest cola in the state I think.
Thanks for the comment and perspective, Cheryll. I think this comment is the crux of the issue here: "We need for teachers to be able to afford to live where they work. And our county is third highest cola in the state I think."
The solution is housing. The lack of housing growth in our city, and particularly affordable housing, is causing enormous problems not just for teachers, but city employees, families with kids, the housing and food insecure, and city and school district budgets. It's not just teachers who can't afford to live here; it's families who are moving out of state, which costs the district students and funding. Much of the past year has been spent trying to hash out a new Housing Element that has the potential to make a real dent in the issue, but the community has been largely silent during this process, and some of the organized political interests in town clearly hold NIMBY sentiments. Granted, it's a complex topic, but it's a topic that needs to be addressed head on. I hope the district and union come to an agreement soon that reflects both the needs of teachers and students and reality of the current budget situation (which is not good), and I hope they begin working together with the rest of the community to fight for solutions that will both benefit the district and teachers (and our students) financially in the long term: affordable housing. Housing will increase enrollment, which will increase ADA funding for the district, which will increase teacher salaries. It will also make Martinez a more affordable place to live, allowing the district to attract and retain quality educators. In my opinion, the energy that goes into fighting over contracts every year or two would be much better spent by both sides in fighting to address the structural issues that lead to this situation. And housing is No. 1. I'd love the see the two sides reach an agreement before Dec. 20, and then show up at the council meeting to talk about the need to create and implement an Housing Element that will make Martinez a place where teachers, parents and families can afford to live and be well compensated for their work.
Housing teachers is so essential. But affordable housing for everyone is something I have pushed for, for a long time. The previous city council sat on their thumbs and basically ignored the need to accomplish this task. Was very frustrating to observe. Pine Meadows now has homes that are over $850k and up. That is hardly in the “affordable” range for teachers unless there are two or three working adults contributing to the mortgage payment. Our teachers went without a raise for too long. I certainly hope a mediator can straighten things out, like you said, Craig.
Thank you. You have always had a good finger in the pulse of the district and this information is deep so I don’t claim to understand it all. It would be wonderful to have the unions perspective here as well so I hope they see this and respond.
But my worry is not looking back to the LACK of adequate wages prior to the 19% increase as well as the increases in health care insurance costs and cost of living. If anyone suffers from cost of living increases it is our teachers who spend their own money for supplies the school can’t supply and that parents assume are going to be provided.
We need for teachers to be able to afford to live where they work. And our county is third highest cola in the state I think.
Thanks for the comment and perspective, Cheryll. I think this comment is the crux of the issue here: "We need for teachers to be able to afford to live where they work. And our county is third highest cola in the state I think."
The solution is housing. The lack of housing growth in our city, and particularly affordable housing, is causing enormous problems not just for teachers, but city employees, families with kids, the housing and food insecure, and city and school district budgets. It's not just teachers who can't afford to live here; it's families who are moving out of state, which costs the district students and funding. Much of the past year has been spent trying to hash out a new Housing Element that has the potential to make a real dent in the issue, but the community has been largely silent during this process, and some of the organized political interests in town clearly hold NIMBY sentiments. Granted, it's a complex topic, but it's a topic that needs to be addressed head on. I hope the district and union come to an agreement soon that reflects both the needs of teachers and students and reality of the current budget situation (which is not good), and I hope they begin working together with the rest of the community to fight for solutions that will both benefit the district and teachers (and our students) financially in the long term: affordable housing. Housing will increase enrollment, which will increase ADA funding for the district, which will increase teacher salaries. It will also make Martinez a more affordable place to live, allowing the district to attract and retain quality educators. In my opinion, the energy that goes into fighting over contracts every year or two would be much better spent by both sides in fighting to address the structural issues that lead to this situation. And housing is No. 1. I'd love the see the two sides reach an agreement before Dec. 20, and then show up at the council meeting to talk about the need to create and implement an Housing Element that will make Martinez a place where teachers, parents and families can afford to live and be well compensated for their work.
Housing teachers is so essential. But affordable housing for everyone is something I have pushed for, for a long time. The previous city council sat on their thumbs and basically ignored the need to accomplish this task. Was very frustrating to observe. Pine Meadows now has homes that are over $850k and up. That is hardly in the “affordable” range for teachers unless there are two or three working adults contributing to the mortgage payment. Our teachers went without a raise for too long. I certainly hope a mediator can straighten things out, like you said, Craig.