The Coronado teachers union is looking for additional pay for veteran educators who have more than 30 years of experience as it begins bargaining with the district on a new contract, which expires June 30.
All teachers are receiving 4% across-the-board pay bumps this year and in 2023-24, after agreeing to a two-year salary deal in spring 2022. The raises, however, did not match inflation, which rose 7.7% last year in the San Diego area, according to state consumer price index records.
Records from 2021-22, the most recent available, show Coronado teachers on average are paid $82,106 a year, slightly below the statewide average of $85,856.
Deputy Superintendent Donnie Salamanca noted that salaries and benefits for CUSD school employees are over 80% of the district’s budget.
Union president Jennifer Landry said teachers want additional pay raises for those who have taught more than three decades as the current pay schedule imposes a salary cap at 30 years of experience at $111,777.
While the most experienced and educated Coronado teachers earn a six-figure salary, Coronado is one of the most expensive places to live in San Diego County.
The city’s median household income is $114,559, while the median value of a home is $1.6 million, according to U.S. Census data.
Teachers in Coronado and across the country are typically paid based upon experience and education.
Thus, teachers earn more money by tenure and obtaining advanced degrees or college credits. Teachers, in the main, also can make additional money by coaching or running extra-curricular activities.
Capped at 30 years
“Right now, if you teach past 30 years you do not advance any more,” said Landry. “We would like to see long term teachers be compensated further and not be stagnant.”
Salamanca said there will be a public hearing at the School Board meeting at 4 p.m. on March 9, regarding the salary issue.
“This will officially start the negotiation cycle,” he said.
District spokeswoman Maria Simon said the negotiation process can last one month to years.
“The quicker the better for everyone,” she said.
Special education
In other aspects of the contract, the union wants to negotiate on leave and special education laws, while the district wants to address hours and duties for adjunct staff and medical benefits.
Landry at the February board meeting said there are not enough instructional aides to support teachers and students, and she requested the district consider hiring more employees.
In dealing with special education issues, 10 committee members, five from each side, have met bi-monthly with the purpose to produce a written report to solve several issues relating to special education programs and teaching.
Among these issues was the intent to focus on reviewing instructional aide support and discussing and improving co-teaching models and practices across the district.
In a statement, Landry said the union would like to see a cap on caseloads lower than the state mandated caps and teachers to be allotted case management time, which they currently do not have.
Maternity leave
She also said the union is focusing on paid maternity and paternity leave for teachers.
“When female teachers retire they have markedly less sick days because in order to take maternity leave (short term disability plan paid for out of pocket) a teacher has to use up all of their sick time before short term disability kicks in, we are trying to lessen the negative effects of choosing to start a family,” she said. “We also want partners to have paid time off to be a support system.”
