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<\/p>\nThe Fresno Unified School Board adopted a state-approved stipend change, more than doubling trustees\u2019 monthly pay and generating barbs from the teachers union.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWhile the responsibilities of our school boards have grown exponentially in recent years, compensation limits have not been adjusted to reflect this reality,\u201d \u2014 AB 1390 author, Assemblymember Jos\u00e9 Luis Solache (D-Lynwood)<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, trustees voted, 6-1, to increase their monthly stipend from $2,110 to $4,500, or $54,000 annually, starting Feb. 1.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t really see it as a raise. I see it is an adjustment,\u201d Trustee Susan Wittrup said. \u201cIt was voted on by our legislators in Sacramento. In the district, we do align with (Education) Code, and that is Ed Code now.\u201d<\/p>\n
In October, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1390 into law, adjusting compensation for school board members \u2014 the first change in over 40 years. The compensation, based on average daily attendance, ranges from $600 to $4,500 monthly.<\/p>\n
Related Story: Fresno Unified Trustees Will Get Automatic Raises on Tuesday<\/a><\/p>\n How Will Raises Affect District Budget?<\/p>\n The school board is responsible for policymaking, community engagement, and managing the district\u2019s $1.9 billion budget.<\/p>\n Five of the seven trustees have chosen to accept the pay bump \u2014 shifting $143,500 yearly from the education budget to trustee pay.<\/p>\n Andy Levine gave the dissenting vote. He and Elizabeth Jonasson-Rosas have opted out of the stipend increase, GV Wire confirmed. They will continue to receive the previous stipend.<\/p>\n In December, Clovis Unified School District trustees, who manage a $689 million budget, approved a new board monthly pay cap: $1,500. This will direct $63,000 yearly from the budget to board member pay.<\/p>\n Additionally, their salary will increase alongside employee pay.<\/p>\n \u00a0The trustee raises will total $143,500 yearly in Fresno Unified\u2019s $1.9 billion budget.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201c(The board) basically created boundaries for themselves and future governing boards that said we don\u2019t want to set a system up that the board is getting something that employees of the district are not getting and they did not want to rush to that cap,\u201d a Clovis Unified spokesperson said.<\/p>\n Fresno Unified employs School Board liaisons work 17 hours a week, helping board members. The liaisons are paid at the level of an executive secretary \u2014 earning more than trustees \u2014 according to Wittrup, who chose to forgo a liaison for the past year.<\/p>\n Trustees Veva Islas, Keshia Thomas, and Valerie Davis did not return calls made by GV Wire seeking comment on the raises. Claudia Casares declined to comment.<\/p>\n Trustee Pay Compared to Other Elected Officials<\/p>\n School board trustees across the state typically make less than other elected officials.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re expected to manage a two-billion-dollar budget. That\u2019s in the same neighborhood as the city of Fresno\u2019s budget,\u201d Wittrup said. \u201cIf you want high quality school board members, you have to make it somewhat encouraging and enticement for them to want to run.\u201d<\/p>\n The city of Fresno\u2019s 2025-26 budget is $2.36 billion.\u00a0In 2022, the council approved a salary increase for members, from $80,000 to $135,044 annually, in a 5-2 vote. The raise was set to take effect when a member was sworn in for a new term.<\/p>\n At the time, supporters of the decision shared similar reasoning as Fresno Unified trustees and the Assemblymember who wrote the bill increasing trustee pay. They said the raise would draw a higher caliber of candidates and serving on city council is a complex and demanding job.<\/p>\n Trustee Decision Generates Backlash<\/p>\n The Fresno Teachers Association shared news about the raises online<\/a>, sparking outrage as many individuals labeled the move \u201cridiculous\u201d and \u201ctone-deaf.\u201d<\/p>\n FTA Executive Director Louis Jamerson made $410,733 in the last fiscal year, according to tax statements.<\/p>\n \u201cIn a moment where a lot of the conversation publicly is about cuts that are going to impact our students and the adults in the system \u2026 I do think that people in the community will see it as a tone-deaf action,\u201d FTA President Manuel Bonilla said.<\/p>\n Currently, the district is looking to make $50 million in budget reductions over the next two school years.<\/p>\n Additionally, Bonilla took issue in the approach and response of some trustees, referring to comments made by Keisha Thomas who \u201c(doesn\u2019t) want anybody minimizing (my) opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think that what the message that seems to be that \u2018I\u2019m going to get my cut, right, and I don\u2019t want anybody to stop me,\u2019\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Thomas did not respond to request for comment.<\/p>\n FTA Executive Director Louis Jamerson made $410,733 in the last fiscal year<\/a>, according to tax statements. The FTA represents about 4,000 members. Comparatively, Shannon Brown, executive director of the California Teachers Association, representing 310,000 members, made about $200,000 the year prior<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bonilla did not return a call regarding his pay before publication of this story.<\/p>\n Fresno Unified Superintendent Misty Her, head of the third-largest school district in California, makes $404,775. She received a one-time payment of $11,565 and a 5% pay increase in June \u2014 a mere month after being appointed superintendent.<\/p>\n Clovis Unified Superintendent Corrine Folmer earns $286,760, serving about 43,660 students. There have been no changes in her compensation since she assumed the position in 2023.<\/p>\n