Governor Proposes Incentives to Recruit & Retain Teachers, SCUSD School Board Demands Massive Cost Shift

In his most recent budget, Governor Gavin Newsom pledged $900 million in his new budget for 2020-21 to recruit and retain teachers, especially in struggling schools.

According the Sacramento Bee, “His plan includes money for professional development, competitive grants and $20,000 bonuses for educators who commit to high-need schools.”

The approach of the Sacramento City Unified School Board could not be more different. Rather than provided incentives to recruit and retain teachers, the SCUSD school board is proposing a massive cost-shift of more than $20 million from the district onto teachers.

The school board is proposing to cost-shift health insurance benefits:

The school board is also demanding that all educators pay an additional two percent of their salary towards retiree health care costs. An average, the school board’s demand is an additional $1500 per year per teacher.

Is there any doubt about which approach will work better?