A Northern California school board has approved a substantial increase in compensation for its members, drawing sharp criticism from teachers, residents and employee groups after a state law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom paved the way for the raises.
The Modesto City School Board voted Tuesday to increase the monthly compensation for board members from the current $765 stipend to $1,500 per month beginning with the next school year. The board also approved a second increase that will raise monthly compensation to $3,000 beginning in the 2027-2028 school year.
The pay hike follows Newsom’s approval last year of Assembly Bill 1390, legislation that allows school board members to receive higher compensation. Under the law, the maximum monthly amount for a district the size of Modesto is $3,000.
While board members now have the authority to increase their compensation under the state law, many members of the public questioned whether moving directly toward the maximum allowable amount was appropriate.
During a public meeting discussing the proposal, community members, teachers and representatives of school employee organizations voiced strong opposition to the decision.
“Just because you can raise something to the max, doesn’t mean you should,” a representative of the Modesto Teachers Association told the board, arguing that serving as a school board member is ultimately an act of service to the community.
Another resident echoed that concern, saying the controversy was not about whether board members deserved to be compensated for their work.
“The issue is not whether the board members deserve compensation,” the 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.”
Board member Abel Maestas defended the increase, noting that compensation for members of the board of education has remained unchanged since 1984.
“At first glance it may seem that 290% increase is enormous,” Maestas said during the meeting. “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 had previously argued that the existing compensation failed to reflect the demands placed on board members. According to the Modesto Bee, Daly said members are effectively available around the clock to respond to issues affecting the district.
“At this point, I say that we’re on 24/7,” Daly said. “Because we can get phone calls at any point, we make 30 cents an hour right now.”
She added that, based on a standard 40-hour workweek, board members currently earn about $4.68 per hour.
“And granted, this position, I don’t think any of us on the board went into this position looking to make money,” Daly said. “However, we are here. It’s 9:30 at night.”
During the meeting, officials also noted that board members are not required to accept the monthly compensation. Board member Chad Brown requested that it be placed on the record that he would not accept the increase.
The Modesto board’s decision mirrors a recent move by the Stockton Unified School District Board of Trustees, whose members also voted to increase their monthly stipend to $3,000.
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