Fresno Unified Trustees Vote to Increase Pay, Sparking Teacher Outcry

The Fresno Unified School Board has voted to more than double its monthly stipend for trustees, increasing it from $2,110 to $4,500, effective February 1. This decision, made by a 6-1 vote, has drawn sharp criticism from the local teachers’ union, which argues that the timing is inappropriate given the district’s ongoing budget challenges.

Assembly Bill 1390, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in October, allows for this pay adjustment. It marks the first change to trustee compensation in over 40 years, with stipends now ranging from $600 to $4,500 monthly, based on average daily attendance. Assemblymember José Luis Solache, who authored the bill, noted the growing responsibilities of school boards, stating, “While the responsibilities of our school boards have grown exponentially in recent years, compensation limits have not been adjusted to reflect this reality.”

Trustee Susan Wittrup defended the increase, framing it as an adjustment rather than a raise. “It was voted on by our legislators in Sacramento,” she remarked, emphasizing the alignment with education codes. The pay increase will allocate an additional $143,500 annually from the district’s $1.9 billion budget to trustee compensation.

While five of the seven trustees have accepted the increase, Trustee Andy Levine voted against it and will continue to receive the previous stipend. Alongside him, Trustee Elizabeth Jonasson-Rosas has opted out of the pay hike.

Community Response and Fiscal Implications

The decision has incited a backlash from the Fresno Teachers Association (FTA). FTA President Manuel Bonilla criticized the raise, labeling it “ridiculous” and “tone-deaf” amid discussions of potential budget cuts that could affect students and staff. The district is looking to implement $50 million in reductions over the next two school years, raising concerns about the juxtaposition of trustee pay increases and budget constraints.

Bonilla highlighted the disparity in compensation, noting that the FTA’s Executive Director Louis Jamerson earned $410,733 last fiscal year, a figure that stands in stark contrast to the proposed trustee pay. “In a moment where the conversation is about cuts that will impact our students… people in the community will see it as a tone-deaf action,” Bonilla added.

Other districts, such as the Clovis Unified School District, have approached trustee compensation differently. Recently, Clovis trustees set a pay cap of $1,500 per month, redirecting $63,000 yearly from their budget to board member salaries. Their approach reflects a desire to ensure that trustees do not receive benefits that are not extended to district employees.

Comparative Compensation and Future Considerations

Trustees in the Fresno Unified School District oversee a budget comparable to that of the city of Fresno, which has a budget of $2.36 billion for the fiscal year 2025-26. In contrast, city council members recently received a pay increase from $80,000 to $135,044 annually. Wittrup defended the increase, asserting that attracting high-quality candidates requires competitive compensation.

As the Fresno Unified district faces declining enrollment and chronic student absenteeism, the future of trustee pay may be uncertain. Projections indicate that average daily attendance could fall below 60,000 by the 2027-28 school year, which would shift the district into a lower compensation category, potentially capping trustee stipends at $3,000 monthly.

The changes in trustee compensation have sparked discussions about the nature of public service within the educational sector. While the increase may draw criticism, some trustees argue that it is essential to provide fair remuneration for the time and effort they dedicate to their responsibilities. Jonasson-Rosas acknowledged the budget challenges but emphasized the importance of adequate compensation for the work involved.

In light of these developments, the Fresno Unified School Board’s decision reflects broader conversations about educational governance, financial stewardship, and community expectations. As trustees navigate their new compensation, the implications for the district and its stakeholders will likely continue to unfold.