Teaching is one of the most important of all professions, providing key developmental factors to society and underpinning the future of future generations. But the career path, especially in a high cost-of-living place like the Bay Area, is falling behind current economic standards and living requirements.
The average starting teacher salary in the U.S. is $42,397, almost $8,000 below the average liveable wage — which takes into account basic needs such as food, childcare, healthcare, housing and more — of $50,249. In the Bay Area, the median income for teachers is much higher at $79,500, but it’s still low in relative comparison to the Bay Area’s extreme cost of living. Average teacher pay in LGSUHSD is higher than the Bay Area average at just over $100,000.
But justifying the district’s current salary just because it is high relative to the state and national average is not valid given the higher local costs of the Bay Area. It makes more sense to compare the district to neighboring comparison districts in the Bay Area. That means comparing LGSUHSD to comparison districts like Mountain View-Los Altos, Santa Clara and Palo Alto.
The district provides a starting base salary of $74,700, which is surprisingly less than the Bay Area’s median teacher income. Although there is a $6,000 pay increase after the first five years on the job, the district’s pay rate pales in comparison to neighboring districts like the Mountain View-Los Altos High School District, which has a starting salary of $97,092.
The district needs to take action to support teachers by increasing teacher wages, an initiative that can be funded by asking voters to renew and raise its current parcel tax.
Considering the high local cost of living, the district’s pay has been falling behind for many years. Teachers often travel to the school from counties like Santa Cruz where housing prices and rents are cheaper than the immediate area.
While many veteran teachers in the district entered the housing market when housing costs were lower, allowing them to save for and purchase a home, it is now difficult for young teachers to do the same because Bay Area house prices are too high; many young teachers see a future of continuing to pay thousands of month for rentals in far-away locations.
A rise in pay is the obvious and simple fix to this issue. Not only would it ease the growing burden of rising housing costs, but it would also ensure that teachers feel supported and stay for the long term — something that is vital to the growth and development of students.
According to a report by American University, high teacher retention rates increase student engagement and enthusiasm for learning. Because long-term teachers serve as role models and mentors, consistent teacher turnovers can be discouraging for students and undermine a school’s mission. However, it is impossible for any school district to increase pay without additional funding. So how can the district afford to pay their teachers a salary that would compete with other top local districts?
The district receives a parcel tax — a tax on each property parcel within the district — of $49 per parcel within the boundaries of the district. The parcel and other similar taxes are the only way districts like ours can remain competitive in pay and benefits.
This current tax expires in 2025. In order to support and raise teacher pay, it is critical for voters to be able to renew and raise it to at least $99 per parcel. This isn’t a radical proposal in any way, especially in comparison to the Los Gatos Union School District (LGUSD), which has a tax of $290 per parcel, and the Palo Alto Unified School District, which has a tax of $836 per parcel with 2% annual adjustments.
While this proposed tax is still comparatively low, the added revenue would go a long way to make LGSUHSD competitive again. Throughout American society, teachers are constantly undermined, but they deserve so much more for the work they do. Both the state and district have a responsibility and imperative to support teachers in every way possible — and keep them here for the long term.
