Teachers in the Bakersfield City School District (BCSD) say they are struggling to afford basic expenses and are growing increasingly frustrated with stalled contract negotiations, calling the district’s proposed 2% raise “insulting” during Tuesday night’s board meeting.

The comments come as BCSD and the Bakersfield Elementary Teachers Association (BETA) continue contract negotiations, with salary increases emerging as a central topic. The district’s latest proposal, which was recently increased from 1.5% to 2%, has drawn criticism from educators who say it does not keep pace with inflation or reflect the rising cost of living.

Steve Comstock, President of BETA, described the current bargaining process as “unusually slow,” revealing that by the end of April, only 14 meetings had taken place. In past cycles, he said, they have held more than 20 meetings by January.

Comstock also stated that district negotiators have said they don’t have the authority to proceed. Comstock said not only is this more concerning, but it also violates bargaining norms. 

He then went on to discuss the “financial reality” of the current situation.

“Despite declining enrollment, per-pupil funding has increased, and the district has more revenue overall,” Comstock said. “Year after year, projected deficits turn into surpluses. This is a consistent pattern. At the same time, the district has failed to meet the required spending levels for educator compensation.”

Comstock noted that the Board has approved increased compensation for both the superintendent and the Board, and has updated executive salaries, calling them deliberate choices.

“Meanwhile, teachers received a 0% raise last year, and now are being offered less than the cost of living,” he said. “The issue is not whether resources exist, it’s how they are prioritized. We are ready to bargain. What’s needed is a functioning process and a commitment to make educators a priority.”

Educators who spoke during the meeting shared similar frustrations, pointing to the rising cost of living and the personal financial strain many educators are facing as negotiations continue. 

Lance Jacobs, a seventh-grade English teacher and BETA executive board member, criticized the district’s salary proposal and pointed to what he described as broader issues with how teachers are prioritized in the district’s budget. 

“Last year, we didn’t get a raise. We were told if we paid your health benefits, we’d have to lay people off, but we had millions left over. The budget is bigger this year, and we still can’t come to the table with a decent raise option,” commented Jacobs. “It says something about where teachers fit as a priority in this district… When the board is taking home thousands of dollars more, when the superintendent is getting thousands more, and we’re stuck at an offer of 2%, it tells us we are the bottom rung.”

Jacobs said teachers are telling him they have no money saved for the summer, that some are single moms working second jobs, and others are saying all they’ll be eating is ramen and hot dogs so they can feed their kids. 

“We feel it every day. What you’re offering won’t even cover the increase in gas or PG&E,” he said. “We’re not asking for a lot. We want a raise that allows us to maintain our dignity and our standard of living.”

Several speakers also described the demands of the job and the toll it is taking on teachers.

Lila Perez, a kindergarten teacher and BETA executive board member, said educators routinely work long hours beyond the school day, and argued that the current offer “does not reflect the value of teachers’ labor.”

Tracy Boyce, a teacher, said the proposal comes at a time when many educators feel overextended and unsupported.

“We are exhausted. We are leaving the profession, not because we don’t care, but because we are not supported or respected,” Boyce said. “If you want strong schools, you must invest in the people who make them work.”

Other teachers warned that continued low pay could worsen staffing challenges across the district.

Denise Carrillo, a kindergarten teacher, said educators are balancing teaching, testing, documentation, and student support, adding that “the workload never ends.” She called for a higher raise, saying anything less fails to meet the current cost of living.

Longtime teacher Robert Duke also raised concerns about retention, noting disparities in compensation and incentives.

“That’s not even cost of living — it’s not a raise,” Duke said of the 2% proposal, adding that the district risks losing experienced educators to other opportunities.

Jerica Burnette, a teacher with a decade in the district, described the financial and emotional strain many educators are facing.

“I stand before you not just as an employee, but someone who has given a decade to this district. And I’m asking that you give something meaningful back,” she shared. “I chose this position, this profession, not because it would make me rich. I chose it because of the students. I show up for these students every day. I believe in these students, but belief doesn’t pay my bills.”

Burnette urged the board to choose something better and to choose something that reflects the reality of what teachers do.

“We are not asking for the moon. We’re asking to be treated like the professionals we are,” she concluded.

A first-grade student, Penny Marquez, also addressed the board, highlighting the impact teachers have in the classroom. 

“Without teachers, I wouldn’t be able to read. Without teachers, I wouldn’t be able to write descriptive stories. Without teachers, I wouldn’t have learned to sing and perform,” Marquez said. “Teachers deserve a fair paycheck because they do more than just teach. A teacher can make kids feel safe, like they matter. Before you thank a teacher, remember: more than praise, teachers need a raise.”

District officials did not respond to the comments during the meeting, and negotiations between the district and union remain ongoing.