Salem-Keizer School District is currently facing budget challenges that may lead to a significant reduction in teacher pay raises. This situation could affect nearly 2,500 educators in the district as officials propose a decrease in the expected 3.5% raise to just 1.5% for the upcoming year.
Proposed Pay Raise Adjustments
If the plan is approved, a teacher earning $60,000 annually would see their cost-of-living raise drop from approximately $2,100 to only $900. These adjustments are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, pending approval by union leaders.
Financial Implications of the Proposal
- The proposed reduction aims to save about $5.3 million for the next school year.
- These savings are intended to prevent layoffs of staff, although no estimates have been provided regarding potential job cuts without the pay modifications.
- Administrators and supervisors would also experience similar pay reductions, maintaining parity with teachers.
Context of Budget Cuts
Superintendent Andrea Castañeda has identified a pressing need to reduce district spending, targeting a $25 million cut for the next school year. Rising employee costs, anticipated to exceed $20 million due to negotiated raises and health insurance increases, are the primary drivers of this budget crisis.
Chief Financial Officer Heidi Sann warns that, if current spending patterns persist, the school district could deplete its savings by 2028. The annual general fund expenditure is projected to reach around $640 million in 2026, against estimated revenues of $618 million.
Union Response and Alternatives
The Salem Keizer Education Association, led by President Maraline Ellis, is expected to poll its members regarding the proposed pay cuts. Many educators believe it would be more equitable to explore a variety of alternatives rather than accept reduced raises.
Potential alternatives discussed include furlough days, which could save around $3 million for each day implemented. However, both Castañeda and board members have expressed hesitation about adopting furloughs on active school days.
Historical Context and Concerns
Ellis has highlighted the reluctance among long-serving teachers to accept a decrease in raises, particularly due to previous experiences during the Great Recession when similar concessions were made. She emphasizes the importance of fairness, suggesting that administrators should consider a pay freeze before seeking concessions from teachers.
Both Ellis and Castañeda agree on the significance of avoiding layoffs similar to those witnessed in 2024. The current financial predicament is viewed by Ellis as a dire situation without easy solutions.
As negotiations and discussions continue, the fate of the proposed teacher pay cuts remains uncertain and will depend significantly on the responses from educators and the broader community.
