SFUSD, teachers' union agree to pay raise

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Teachers in San Francisco expect to get a nice gift from the school district for the holidays. The district has agreed to a 12 percent raise over three years. The teacher's union was originally asking for a 20 percent raise

The tentative contract agreement is between the school district and the teachers union, United Educators of San Francisco.

"We make about one-third of what teachers make and teachers already don't have the biggest salaries and it's hard to live in the city," said paraprofessional educator Patrick Whelly.

The tentative agreement also includes giving paraprofessionals, who work directly with students with special needs, an additional 3 percent raise if they have worked at least eight years in the district. That brings their three-year salary increase to 15 percent.

"We've been very clear from the beginning and the union has been very clear that they wanted to do something for the paraprofessionals," said Superintendent Richard Carranza.

The raises are retroactive to last July. This was possible because the district has received more funding from the city and the state.

The agreement also calls for more prep-time-about 30 minutes a day to work on lesson plans or meet with students who need help.

Now teachers must vote to ratify this agreement.

The salary for a teacher starting out in San Francisco is $50,000. Within three years they'll be making more than 56,000. The average salary of a San Francisco teacher with 12 years on the job is 69,000. In three years they'll be earning close to 78,000.

"We are just in the process of creating ballots and explanations and summaries to send out to all members. We hope to have those in the mail by the end of the week," said union representative Dennis Kelly.

The idea is for teachers to approve it by December 11th, in order to get their retroactive pay in time for the holidays.

Bay City News contributed to this story.