Placer Union High teachers get 4.9% raise. What will it cost the school district?

Placer Union High School District teachers will receive a 4.9% ongoing pay increase after the district’s board approved a new two-year contract with the Associated Teachers of Placer on Tuesday.

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The increase is retroactive to July 1 and the agreement runs through June 30, 2028.

The 4.9% increase is expected to cost the district about $1.35 million in salaries and benefits in 2026-27, according to a fiscal disclosure submitted to the Placer County Office of Education.

The contract also provides for another ongoing salary increase in 2027-28 equal to 80% of the state-funded cost-of-living adjustment, plus 50% of any additional funding that increases the state’s Local Control Funding Formula base grant above that adjustment.

The district projected it would maintain the state-required 3% general fund reserve through the current and following two fiscal years. The agreement, however, is expected to increase deficit spending in subsequent years, according to the disclosure.

District officials said they planned to reduce staffing because of declining enrollment, freeze identified positions and cut nonpersonnel costs to help meet future financial obligations.

The agreement includes several other changes affecting district employees. The district can offer signing bonuses of up to $25,000 for positions it identifies as difficult to fill if no qualified candidates apply. The bonus would be paid over two years, contingent on satisfactory evaluations.

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The fiscal disclosure showed no change in health and welfare benefits under the agreement. The district’s medical contribution remained capped at $858, with the district continuing to cover dental and vision benefits.

Beginning Jan. 1, employees with medical documentation may receive up to 14 weeks of paid pregnancy disability leave under specified circumstances.

Other provisions address workplace safety and employee evaluations. A committee will review the evaluation system during the 2026-27 school year, with updated evaluation rubrics based on the state’s 2024 California Standards for the Teaching Profession set to be tested in 2027-28.

Elena DalFavero, assistant superintendent of human resources, said the agreement reflected the work of both bargaining teams.

“In particular, ATP Vice President and Bargaining Chair Jacob Fefer’s leadership should be commended,” she said. “His commitment to working together was instrumental in reaching an agreement that supports our educators and strengthens our district.”

Fefer thanked both negotiating teams following Tuesday’s approval.

“I am pleased that the board approved the tentative agreement,” he said.

The agreement covers teachers and other certificated employees represented by the Associated Teachers of Placer across the district, which operates Del Oro, Placer, Colfax, Foresthill, Confluence and Confluence West high schools, as well as Maidu Virtual Charter Academy and Placer School for Adults.

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