A new study reveals a stark funding gap creating unequal pay for California’s teachers, even within the same county.
According to the Press Democrat, teachers in the wealthy St. Helena Unified School District average over $155,000 a year. By comparison, teachers in the neighboring Napa Valley Unified average about $104,000—a nearly one-third difference.
The reason is California’s school funding formula. St. Helena is a property-rich “basic aid” district that keeps its surplus local tax revenue, allowing it to pay significantly more. Napa Valley Unified, which relies on state aid, struggles to compete, leading to a constant cycle of experienced educators moving to the wealthier districts.
This gap translates to vastly different resources: St. Helena spends more than double per student. The issue is now being debated in the state legislature as lawmakers look for ways to address this disparity.