Dear Editor, I would like to thank the Dispatch for publishing
the article on teacher pay and bringing it to the public’s
attention; however, I do need to clarify the headline,
”
Teacher Pay Hike Pales in Comparison.
”
Teacher Pay Still An Issue in Gilroy Unified, and the Superintendent Knows It
Dear Editor,
I would like to thank the Dispatch for publishing the article on teacher pay and bringing it to the public’s attention; however, I do need to clarify the headline, “Teacher Pay Hike Pales in Comparison.”
As I shared with the reporter, the salary increases in Santa Clara County have ranged from about 5 percent to 8.5 percent. So, our increase of 7 percent (with benefits) is comparable.
What is not comparable is our pay, which has remained low for decades. What is surprising is the position taken by Superintendent Edwin Diaz, when he states that “the numbers are misleading” and that “We don’t compete with Hollister … We compete with Morgan Hill.”
As Mr. Diaz is aware, the districts we use to conduct comparability studies were mutually agreed to by the association and district several years ago.
Those districts are: Evergreen, Oak Grove, Salinas City, Franklin-McKinley, Salinas High School, San Benito High School, East Side High School, Milpitas, Morgan Hill and Hollister.
Mr. Diaz is also aware that prior to
narrowing our comparability list to 10 other districts, we used all of the districts in the county. Then, as now, we ranked towards the bottom. Then, as now, we lost teachers to many other districts, not just Morgan Hill.
As for the numbers being “misleading,” when we negotiate at the table, we are constantly comparing numbers so we are all on the same page. Mr. Diaz is correct when he says our total compensation is higher than Morgan Hill’s. Because Gilroy Unified contributes more towards health benefits than Morgan Hill, our total compensation is higher by thousands of dollars. If the benefits are taken out of the equation, the numbers are closer. In some instances, we are higher, and in other instances, we are lower.
Finally, in reference to Assistant Superintendent Linda Piceno’s comment that it is not reasonable to expect that our salaries be the highest in the county, Ms. Piceno is aware that we have never expected such. What we do expect is that we have competitive salaries. And, while it is not reasonable to expect this to happen in one year, it is reasonable to ask, “When?”
After decades of fighting an uphill battle, and after seeing this district spend a great deal of money on program after program, and cycling through “Strategic Plan” after “Strategic Plan,” it would have been gratifying to see a plan come from the administration to increase our salaries.
Finally, last May, the Board of Education came up with a plan, and not only attached a number to it, but pushed for it to happen. I would like to go on the record and thank the Board of Education for not only taking that initial step, but following through with its promise.
Together, I hope that we can continue to work towards the goal of making our salaries and working conditions the best they can be so we can continue to attract and retain the best possible teachers we can. Our students deserve no less.
Michelle Nelson,
President, Gilroy Teachers Association
