I hope the tentative agreement holds. Getting pay right is influential in drawing quality teachers. The central element of schools is the quality of its teachers.

Glad to see a strike was averted. There was no mention of improved health benefits. That is disappointing.

Teacher benefits are fine, but they are included in their salaries. So to truly improve benefits, they need to roll them off the salary schedule while leaving the salary as is. I’m sure there’s a solution, but it will cost.

How does the available funding for PUSD compare to surrounding districts? Would one look at per-pupil spending? I believe that per-pupil expenditures are very similar for Livermore and Pleasanton. If Livermore can take better care of their teachers why can't Pleasanton? Depending on where one falls out on the salary schedule (years of experience and education level) Livermore teachers make roughly $10,000 less a year than Pleasanton teachers. However, Pleasanton teachers have to pay roughly $31,000 for medical each year. Teachers would have a much higher standard of living teaching in Livermore. If our district doesn't figure something out, then we will lose out to surrounding districts. Only teacher candidates who are married and have medical benefits covered by their spouses will apply. This severely limits the pool of qualified candidates.

Does the superintendent and his team get the same raise the teachers will be getting? I’d assume since they just voted themselves a hefty raise + benefits, they would decline another raise. PW, please report on this.

Haglund and his cabinet will also get the 4.5% on top of everything else - the 3.5% each year plus benefits for themselves and their families.