Union presentation: RCTA survey shows housing costs strain teachers; association urges pay changes

A representative of the Redwood City Teachers Association presented survey findings to the board on April 22 that union leaders said demonstrate the effect of local housing costs on teacher retention and financial stability.

Brent of RCTA summarized results from a teacher survey: "This means that over half of the teachers, 61%, have 30% or more of their salary taken up by rent or mortgage alone," he said. The presentation also reported that 87% of surveyed teachers cannot consistently build emergency savings and that nearly all respondents said step increases do not keep up with inflation.

The union urged the district to adopt compensation schedules that allow educators to live in the community where they work and called the issue a retention risk. Trustees acknowledged the data and noted the presentation was timely given ongoing labor negotiations; the board reminded the public that trustees would not ask questions during the RCTA presentation because the district is in active negotiations.

No board action was taken during the meeting on compensation; the presentation was received for information and will factor into continuing talks between district negotiators and the union.