Debating if public school teachers are over- or under-paid is a hot topic whenever cuts to education funding loom or student test scores are released.
A new online comparison tool lets the public compare average teacher salaries by school district, revealing that some Ross Valley teacher salaries lag behind the average teacher pay in California but some are well above average. At the Ross Valley Elementary School District, the average pay is $62,744. However, at the Tamalpais Union High School District (Drake High School), the average pay is $87,497, nearly $20,000 higher than the state average.
Statewide, the average teacher salary declined slightly during the 2011-12 academic year to $68,531, the Bakersfield Californian reported.
Overall, Marin County educators are on-par with the state average.
But the California Teachers Association doesn't put much stock in the comparison tool. Teacher salary scales are configured with formulas that take into account years of experience and education level, but many young and early-career teachers have been laid off due to budget cuts in recent years.
Teacher Salaries 2011-12School District Average Pay Student Enrollment Dixie (San Rafael) Elementary SD
$73,844
1,793 Kentfield Elementary $76,351 1,177 Larkspur-Corte Madera $75,909 1,363 Mill Valley Elementary SD
$76,909
2,968
Novato USD
$62,904 7,999 Reed Union Elementary SD (Tiburon) $79,999 1,401 Ross Elementary SD $75,230 346 Ross Valley Elementary SD $62,744 2,210 San Rafael City Elementary SD $62,608 2,000 Sausalito Marin City SD $70,975 396 Tamalpais Union High School District $87,497 3,839 Source: Ed-Data
California public school teachers make 16.1 percent less than other college graduates, according to the California Teachers Association. The disparity increases for those with master's degrees.
How much do you think Fairfax and San Anselmo teachers should be paid? Tell us in the comment section below.
