San Bruno School Teachers Seek First Raise In Years, May Get Pay Cut Instead

SAN BRUNO (KPIX 5) – Teachers in a Bay Area school district are pushing for their first pay raise in years. But they may just get the opposite instead.

"Schools don't run without us. And we can't live here. And we can't work here," said Julie Maynard, a teacher at the San Bruno Park School District.

At the San Bruno Park School District, teachers haven't had a raise in almost a decade. They want one now.

"For a long time we knew all of the districts were in financial situations. We took one for the team. But at this point, it's time," Maynard said.

Mayard, who is also union chief, makes about $60,000 a year and said she still needs four roommates to help make ends meet. The average teacher salary in the district is about $65,000, while the average in San Mateo County is $73,900 a year.

While the teachers are seeking an 8 percent raise, the district is asking Maynard and others to take a cut.

"We went to the community, and asked for a parcel tax. Where it was supported, it was not supported adequately enough to get it passed," said Superintendent David Hutt.

The superintendent blames the cuts on the tax defeat, but others blame him. They claim mismanagement, and after parents circulated a no-confidence petition, the school board told Hutt he would be let go at the end of the year.

"Something's not right here. Why doesn't he take a cut? He's supposed to be leaving. Everything was just a mess while he was there," said Michelle Mili, a parent.

Hutt's $132,000 a year salary is not on the table.

A big rally is set before the next school board meeting Wednesday night.