Hayward Unified School District classified staff -- including paraprofessionals who support the district's most vulnerable students in getting the education they deserve and maintenance and operations staff who keep school facilities clean and safe -- work hard every day to keep the district's schools running and students thriving. But short staffing is making that work harder than it should be -- and is harming students, schools, and staff.
One of the key reasons HUSD has trouble hiring and retaining qualified staff is that it offers next to nothing in healthcare benefits. Rather than providing insurance coverage as most districts do, it ...
Hayward Unified School District classified staff -- including paraprofessionals who support the district's most vulnerable students in getting the education they deserve and maintenance and operations staff who keep school facilities clean and safe -- work hard every day to keep the district's schools running and students thriving. But short staffing is making that work harder than it should be -- and is harming students, schools, and staff.
One of the key reasons HUSD has trouble hiring and retaining qualified staff is that it offers next to nothing in healthcare benefits. Rather than providing insurance coverage as most districts do, it has a small amount designated for benefits rolled into salaries. Given that the average salary of an HUSD classified employee is less than $48,000 a year, and that the cost of the district's healthcare plan is $850-1200 a month for an individual or $2100-3120 for family coverage, the math does not work.
HUSD classified staff need and deserve affordable healthcare coverage. They are asking for a monthly stipend to allow them to afford the district's plans -- but so far, the district is saying no.
HUSD's classified staff shortage cannot be addressed effectively until employees have access to affordable healthcare coverage. Email the HUSD school board now and tell them to settle a fair contract now that includes a stipend to make healthcare affordable for employees.