Fury as California school board approves insane 300% pay raises after Newsom move

A Northern California school board approved nearly 300% salary increases for its members, sparking outrage from the community after Gov. Gavin Newsom approved the move last year.

The Modesto City School Board on Tuesday green lit the initial monthly pay compensation for board members to earn $1,500 a month, compared to the current stipend of $765, starting for next school year.

The board also agreed the increase would rise to $3,000, but not until the 2027-2028 school year. 

The move follows Newsom’s approval last year of Assembly Bill 1390, which allowed for the increases. Based on the Modesto school district’s size, the maximum allowed is $3,000 a month.

Members of the community, teachers and school employee groups expressed outrage at the decision during a public meeting to discuss the increase.

“Just because you can raise something to the max, doesn’t mean you should,” a rep for the Modesto Teachers Association said, noting that serving on the board is an act of serving the community.

“The issue is not whether the board members deserve compensation,” one resident said. “The issue is whether a nearly three-fold increase approved all at once reflects the priorities and values that our community expects of our leaders.”

During the meeting, board member Abel Maestas pointed out that there had not been a change in the monthly stipend for board of education members since 1984.

“At first glance it may seem that 290% increase is enormous,” Maestas said. “However, if we take the rate of inflation and the power of the dollar since 1984, the equivalent compensation to match 1984 at $750 would be $3,500.”

Board Vice President Jolene Daly previously suggested their pay was paltry, given members must be available by phone day or night, the Modesto Bee reported.

“At this point, I say that we’re on 24/7. Because we can get phone calls at any point, we make 30 cents an hour right now,” she said.

“If you calculate a 40-hour week, we make $4.68 an hour right now. And granted, this position, I don’t think any of us on the board went into this position looking to make money. However, we are here. It’s 9:30 at night.”

It was also noted in the meeting that “board members are not required to accept the monthly compensation.” Member Chad Brown wanted it noted that he would not be taking the increa

The move was similar to a recent decision by members of the Stockton Unified School District Board of Trustees, which increased their monthly stipend to $3,000 a month.