On Thursday night at the DJUSD School Board meeting, the board voted in favor of Resolution No. 49-26: Ordering Terminating Services of Classified Employees due to “lack of funds.” Many of the employees who will lose their jobs are the educators who work closest to your children.
Let’s put some facts about “funds” into perspective:
Between 2021 and 2024, our highest-paid DJUSD administrators saw extremely large base salary increases. Here are just a few:
DJUSD Superintendent: $104,485.23 increase
DJUSD Associate Superintendent: $51,406.60 increase
DJUSD Admin Director I Crisis: $48,251.03 increase
DJUSD Admin Director I Tech: $32,771.93 increase
(These numbers do not include the increases in medical benefits.)
A larger question comes into play when you consider that classified staff was given a mere 2.2% wage increase this last year on their tentative agreement; a percentage that didn’t even meet COLA, which came in a 2.3%. This was after classified staff received a 0% increase the prior year. Yes, ZERO.
A larger question also comes into play when Davis Joint Unified continues to see dwindling enrollment every year, yet it doesn’t stop administrators from collecting extremely high wage increases.
To be fair with the facts, many administrators for school districts across the state of California have seen very high increases as well, so this trend isn’t simply a Davis issue. With that said, DJUSD still has some of the highest wage gaps in the state. This means that educators and classified staff receive higher, more competitive wages in other districts.
The argument we always hear is about budget cuts from state and federal levels. Though personally, I see that argument as a cop out. It’s not about how much money is coming in, but rather where the money that comes in ends up going.
The bottom line? It doesn’t add up. But when does it ever? A common theme that we see all too often in this country. Nothing will ever change unless people get involved. If you are an employee of the district, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask questions. If you are a parent or a community member, ask questions as well. Show up to board meetings.
Many people will lose their jobs in an economy that is getting harder for the majority of people to keep food on the table. I encourage anyone who cares to join together and be a voice for change.
Follow the Vanguard on Social Media – X, Instagram and Facebook. Subscribe the Vanguard News letters. To make a tax-deductible donation, please visit davisvanguard.org/donate or give directly through ActBlue. Your support will ensure that the vital work of the Vanguard continues.
“DJUSD Superintendent: $104,485.23 increase”
So what does that bring his total compensation to?
It was apparently $427,601.51 back in 2024.
https://www.davisenterprise.com/townnews/work/djusd-budget-boundaries-and-community-input/article_036f44f1-38c4-4d23-9aee-ea0730881ae1.html
In any case, I’ve got some advice for young people interested in the field of education: Become a superintendent; not a teacher.
Oldest trick in the book; same dynamic in my home town 50 years ago. Except my home town didn’t have housing developments on the ballot to deflect the hate and guilt onto the voters for votiing in more children to keep the schools open. Or something
“Except my home town didn’t have housing developments on the ballot to deflect the hate and guilt onto the voters for voting in more children to keep the schools open.”
The YIMBYs are trying to ensure that no community has any say housing developments (infill OR sprawl), but I’m pretty sure they’d use the school argument in regard to their “housing shortage” arguments as well.
By the way, I’ve come up with my own (more-logical) definition of the “missing middle”: those who are able to buy a house at the median (which is probably right around the “average” price) in any given community. (In Atherton, the average is close to $8 million for example.) But using that definition, the middle aren’t actually “missing”.
But if anyone feels sorry for me (and wants to ensure that I get a piece of that “middle”) – please let me know. I’d even accept a house at “half” the middle, though I’d probably need assistance with the property taxes and insurance on a permanent basis, anyway.
The kids in those communities are already in “the middle”. (I’m not sure I want to know what the superintendent makes there.)