Since this article first appeared in yesterday's Sacramento Bee, it has been reprinted in several newspapers and online sources.
Click here to read the article
The
fact that these revelations greatly contribute to the lack of
sustainability is reflected in the school parcel taxes on almost every
election ballot and the ongoing layoff of teachers and staff.
It also accounts for the fact that teachers are now in short supply, as reported in several news sources.
Entry level teachers' salaries in Marin County are not enough to afford the cost of living here. Additionally, teachers hired after 2013 are asked to contribute more toward their own pensions (along with 'employers') to make up the shortfall, making the profession even less attractive to potential new teachers.
Unfortunately,
the failure to address the real public pension issue has had a negative
impact on both today's students and on taxpayers. It's time to admit
the system is totally unsustainable and to institute reforms.
It is certainly worth researching the benefits paid to retired Marin school administrators, especially since we have 19 separate school districts replete with their own separate administrative staffs. I will ask Robert Fellner of Transparent California to help me with that so that we have immediate and accurate figures.
To add a plug, I hope you are all donating to support the work of Transparent California. It has been a real game-changer.
The original Sacramento Bee article is posted on the CSPP Facebook page. Please go there to comment.