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PRESS RELEASE. From the California Teachers Association Newsroom on January 7th, 2024.
Note: Cabrillo Unified School District (CUSD) Trustee Meetings ~ 2nd Thursday @ 6:30pm
State of California’s Public Schools report provides new insights on challenges to recruiting and retaining teachers
CALIFORNIA – While 77 percent of California teachers find their jobs rewarding, four in 10 are thinking about leaving the profession due to a lack of resources at school and financial pressures at home, according to a new report released today by California Teachers Association (CTA). Conducted by GBAO Strategies, the State of California’s Public Schools surveyed more than 2,000 TK-12 public school educators across the state this school year, providing new insight about the increasing difficulty of recruiting and retaining California teachers.
“Too many educators are spread thin and can’t make ends meet,” CTA President David Goldberg said during a news conference held Tuesday. “For more than 46 years, schools have been operating in a deficit in large part due to the passage of Proposition 13. This created a shift away from investing in our schools and into profits for corporations.”
Goldberg highlighted some of the report’s findings:
- 84 percent of teachers surveyed cannot afford to live near their schools.
- 81 percent say their salaries are not keeping up with rising costs for groceries, childcare and other necessary expenses.
- 80 percent have concerns that they would not be able to cover an unexpected cost.
- 69 percent cite high, out-of-pocket costs for often inadequate health care benefits eating into their paychecks.
Carolina Gomez, a TK (Transitional Kindergarten) teacher in San Diego and a single parent with five children, had a nearly impossible time finding affordable housing in one of California’ most expensive housing markets. At one point, she found it necessary to commute daily from across the border in Mexico to put a roof over her family’s heads. “I’m very grateful to have a union,” said Gomez, who participated in the CTA news conference. “My union helped me obtain affordable housing. I was fortunate. Across the state, many teachers are struggling to find a place – any place – for their families to live.”
Not only are educators struggling to find housing and pay rent, 91 percent of those who do rent say that they can’t afford to buy a home, according to the report.
Goldberg said the popular perception is that California public school teachers have generous health care benefits, but the reality is that some teachers pay as much as $1,500 per month in out-of-pocket costs.
Sacramento-area TK teacher Kristina Caswell said these exorbitant health care costs, in addition to rising housing and daycare expenses, have tightened her family budget to the point where she “thinks twice before paying for a prescription.” While she enjoys her job and loves her students and families, Caswell said the financial pressures are difficult to navigate.
Despite the financial impacts, Caswell routinely reaches into her own pocket to purchase supplies, food and other items for her classroom and students – and she’s not alone: 93 percent of educators surveyed reported routinely spending their own money to help and support their students.
The report also shows a number of alarming concerns educators have about California public schools:
- 84 percent of educators surveyed said inadequate resources for students provided by the state and school districts were a major concern, while the same number (84 percent) cited a lack of school funding.
- 68 percent specifically mentioned a lack of support for mental health issues. The report notes that California is failing at providing students with access to school counselors, with the state ranking 48th nationally for these crucial supports.
- 76 percent said overcrowded classes and a lack of staffing was a serious issue, with California ranking in the top 5 states with the largest average class sizes in the country.
State of California’s Public Schools details the stark realities for new and veteran educators at both home and school that are causing dedicated teachers to consider leaving education. The situation is even more dire for new educators, with one in three thinking about leaving and 92 percent citing financial reasons as the primary reason. This is compounding the ongoing teacher shortage crisis, which currently sees more than 10,000 teacher vacancies statewide.
Goldberg concluded the conference stating CTA’s commitment to fighting for robust and stable revenue for public schools in the years to come: “California’s students, schools and communities deserve a more stable and robust funding system to support an equitable education system for all. This includes creative revenue-raising solutions that apply the great wealth of this state to our educational system.”
The 310,000-member California Teachers Association is affiliated with the 3 million-member National Education Association.
More on CUSD on Coastside Buzz
Cabrillo Unified School District (CUSD) Trustee Meetings ~ 2nd Thursday @ 6:30pm
The Cabrillo Unified School District School Governing Board is comprised of five school board members who are elected by the local community. The role of the school board is to provide leadership and oversight of the district. The Board ensures that the district is responsive to the values, beliefs, and priorities of the community.
The term of office for school board members elected in regular elections is four years, beginning on the second Friday in December after their election. The board meets at least once a month at the District Office, 498 Kelly Avenue, Half Moon Bay. Meetings are open to the public and are usually held on Thursday nights at 6:30 pm. A portion of the board meeting consists of a “closed” session for the purpose of discussing confidential matters, such as personnel or student issues.
2025 District Board of Trustees
Author: Coastside Buzz
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