CalSTRS

Transparent California Release of 2014 K-12 Data, Bay Area

Robert Fellner 2015, Press Releases , ,

For Immediate Release
Contact Robert Fellner, 559-462-0122, 201-206-6469 (cell)

Data: No correlation between teacher compensation and performance

San Francisco Unified per-pupil spending highest statewide

TUSTIN — K-12 employee compensation data released today by Transparent California shows there is no meaningful correlation between teacher compensation and student performance; when the compensation of all district employees is compared to performance, there is a negative correlation.

A geographically-diverse survey of 75 of the largest school districts statewide – accounting for nearly half of total statewide enrollment – found average teacher compensation that ranged from $81,000 to $120,000, with no correlation to district performance:

The Academic Performance Index (API) ranges from a low of 200 to a high of 1000, with 800 being the targeted goal for all schools. The comparison relies on 2013 scores, the most recent data available.

The average full-time teacher compensation was $94,796 and the average API score was 795. Compensation is defined as wages plus the employer-cost of health and retirement benefits.

The average total employee cost per enrolled student was $6,946 and was negatively correlated against the district’s API scores.

Average teacher compensation at 10 of the largest Bay Area school districts was $89,343 and the average total employee cost per student was $7,166. San Francisco Unified’s employee cost per student of $9,146 was the highest amongst all schools surveyed.

Over 740,000 employee compensation records from 555 K-12 school districts – representing nearly 80 percent of total enrollment statewide – was obtained by and published on TransparentCalifornia.com, a public service website that provides accurate, comprehensive and easily searchable information on the compensation of public employees in California.

Statewide, the Chaffey Joint Union High School’s average compensation package for full-time teachers topped the list at $119,942, while receiving only a 777 API score in 2013. San Ramon Valley Unified earned a 923 API score in 2013, the highest of all schools surveyed, with average teacher compensation and total employee cost per student both below average at $88,638 and $6,763, respectively.

The top 3 highest earners statewide were:

  1. John Deasy, Emeritus Superintendent of Schools at Los Angeles Unified received $485,634 in compensation.
  2. John Collins, Superintendent at Poway Unified received $478,008 in compensation.
  3. Michael Hanson, Superintendent at Fresno Unified received $460,890 in compensation.

Bay Area

For the Bay Area, the average K-12 employee received a compensation package worth $87,295 with over 16,000 employees making more than $100,000.

The top 3 highest Bay Area earners were:

  1. Polly Bove, Superintendent at Fremont Union High received $363,736 in compensation.
  2. Elizabeth Mcmanus, Deputy Superintendent at San Mateo Union High received $349,292 in compensation.
  3. Bruce Harter, Superintendent of Schools at West Contra Costa Unified received $337,973 in compensation.

The average compensation for full-time teachers at 10 of the largest school districts in the Bay Area is displayed below:

To view the entire dataset in a searchable and downloadable format, visit TransparentCalifornia.com.

“The lack of meaningful correlation between average teacher compensation and school performance, as measured by the district’s 2013 API score, is stunning” said Mark Bucher, president of the California Policy Center. “It does show, however, that simply increasing funding is not an effective way to improve performance.”

Bucher added that, “The doubling of employer contributions towards CalSTRS in the coming years will pose a significant challenge to schools already paying nearly $95,000 a year on average teacher compensation. The data also suggests that this increase in employee compensation is unlikely to improve educational outcomes.”

To schedule an interview with California Policy Center president Mark Bucher, please contact Robert Fellner at 559-462-0122 or Robert@TransparentCalifornia.com.

 Transparent California is California’s largest and most comprehensive database of public sector compensation and is a project of two nonpartisan, free-market think tanks, the California Policy Center and Nevada Policy Research Institute. Learn more at TransparentCalifornia.com.

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Transparent California Release of 2014 K-12 Data, Greater LA Area

Robert Fellner 2015, Press Releases , ,

Data: No correlation between teacher compensation and performance

Chaffey Joint and Anaheim Union High’s teachers lead state with average compensation over $115,000

TUSTIN — K-12 employee compensation data released today by Transparent California shows there is no meaningful correlation between teacher compensation and student performance; when the compensation of all district employees is compared to performance, there is a negative correlation.

A geographically-diverse survey of 75 of the largest school districts statewide – accounting for nearly half of total statewide enrollment – found average teacher compensation that ranged from $81,000 to $120,000, with no correlation to district performance:

The Academic Performance Index (API) ranges from a low of 200 to a high of 1000, with 800 being the targeted goal for all schools. The comparison relies on 2013 scores, the most recent data available.

The average full-time teacher compensation was $94,796 and the average API score was 795. Compensation is defined as wages plus the employer-cost of health and retirement benefits.

The average total employee cost per enrolled student was $6,946 and was negatively correlated against the district’s API scores.

Over 740,000 employee compensation records from 555 K-12 school districts – representing nearly 80 percent of total enrollment statewide – was obtained by and published on TransparentCalifornia.com, a public service website that provides accurate, comprehensive and easily searchable information on the compensation of public employees in California.

Statewide, the Chaffey Joint Union High School’s average compensation package for full-time teachers topped the list at $119,942, while receiving only a 777 API score in 2013. San Ramon Valley Unified earned a 923 API score in 2013, the highest of all schools surveyed, with average teacher compensation and total employee cost per student both below average at $88,638 and $6,763, respectively.

The top 3 highest earners statewide were:

  1. John Deasy, Emeritus Superintendent of Schools at Los Angeles Unified received $485,634 in compensation.
  2. John Collins, Superintendent at Poway Unified received $478,008 in compensation.
  3. Michael Hanson, Superintendent at Fresno Unified received $460,890 in compensation.

Greater LA Area

The greater Los Angeles area includes schools in the counties of: Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside.

The average greater Los Angeles area K-12 employee received a compensation package worth $88,581 with over 56,000 employees making more than $100,000.

Chaffey Joint and Anaheim Union High both received below-target API scores of 777 in 2013, despite leading the state in average teacher compensation of $119,942 and $115,437, respectively.

The average compensation for full-time teachers at 10 of the largest school districts in the greater Los Angeles area is displayed below:

To view the entire dataset in a searchable and downloadable format, visit TransparentCalifornia.com.

“The lack of meaningful correlation between average teacher compensation and school performance, as measured by the district’s 2013 API score, is stunning” said Mark Bucher, president of the California Policy Center. “It does show, however, that simply increasing funding is not an effective way to improve performance.”

Bucher added that, “The doubling of employer contributions towards CalSTRS in the coming years will pose a significant challenge to schools already paying nearly $95,000 a year on average teacher compensation. The data also suggests that this increase in employee compensation is unlikely to improve educational outcomes.”

To schedule an interview with California Policy Center president Mark Bucher, please contact Robert Fellner at 559-462-0122 or Robert@TransparentCalifornia.com.

 Transparent California is California’s largest and most comprehensive database of public sector compensation and is a project of two nonpartisan, free-market think tanks, the California Policy Center and Nevada Policy Research Institute. Learn more at TransparentCalifornia.com.

Over 280 retired educators of Greater San Diego receive eye-popping pension payouts of $100,000 or more

Robert Fellner 2015, Press Releases , ,

Over 280 retired educators of Greater San Diego receive eye-popping pension payouts of $100,000 or more

Bad Education: Transparent California Releases 2014 CalSTRS Pension Data

TUSTIN — Today, TransparentCalifornia.com released 2014 pension records for 256,305 CalSTRS pensioners, received through a series of public records request.

The data reveals that at just the 10 biggest school districts in the Greater San Diego area 286 CalSTRS pensioners took home pension payouts of $100,000 or more in 2014. The average pension for those who worked 30 years or more at these districts was $65,605 for the year. Of those who retired in 2000 and later, the figure was $70,614. (These payouts do not include the value of generous health benefits.)

Transparent California is California’s largest and most comprehensive database of public sector compensation and is run by the California Policy Center and Nevada Policy Research Institute.

Statewide, 8,888 CalSTRS retirees received pension payouts of $100,000 or more in 2014. The average pension for those who worked 30 years or more was $66,641 for the year. Of those who retired in 2000 and later, the figure was $74,910.

To view the data click here. To explore the data by specific school district click here.

“Widespread six-figure pension payouts for retired educators challenge the popular conception of the poor retired teacher struggling to get by on a fixed pension,” said Mark Bucher, president of the California Policy Center. “The release of this data will give policymakers, journalists and Californians-at-large better context of hot-button issues surrounding teacher contracts and compensation.”

The three biggest CalSTRS pension recipients in the Greater San Diego area in 2014 were:

  • Rudy Castruita, San Diego County Office of Education, who received $274,265
  • Kenneth Noonan, Oceanside Unified, who received $256,547
  • Terry Davis, San Diego Community College District, who received $239,735

The top three biggest CalSTRS pension recipients statewide in 2014 were:

  • William Habermehl, Orange County Office of Education, who received $347,856
  • Richard Bray, Tustin Unified School District, who received $307,135
  • Edward Hernandez Jr., Rancho Santiago Community College District, who received $304,652

Based on the ten biggest school districts in each region, the average pensions of those who worked 30 years or more by other California region were:

  • Bay Area: $65,414
  • Sacramento & the Central Valley: $63,682
  • Central Coast: $60,532
  • Greater Los Angeles: $69,002

Ten biggest school districts by total payroll in Greater San Diego

Name County Avg. Full-Career Pension
Greater San Diego = San Diego County, Imperial County
San Diego Unified San Diego $61,832
Sweetwater Union High San Diego $70,738
Chula Vista Elementary San Diego $70,124
Grossmont Union High San Diego $67,503
Vista Unified San Diego $61,974
San Marcos Unified San Diego $72,460
Escondido Union Elementary San Diego $64,478
Cajon Valley Union Elementary San Diego $66,864
San Diego County Office of Education San Diego $86,695
San Dieguito Union High San Diego $77,709

Transparent California is a project of two nonpartisan, free-market think tanks, the California Policy Center and Nevada Policy Research Institute. Learn more at TransparentCalifornia.com.

Over 1,500 retired educators of Greater Los Angeles receive eye-popping pension payouts of $100,000 or more

Robert Fellner 2015, Press Releases , ,

Over 1,500 retired educators of Greater Los Angeles receive eye-popping pension payouts of $100,000 or more

Bad Education: Transparent California Releases 2014 CalSTRS Pension Data

TUSTIN — Today, TransparentCalifornia.com released 2014 pension records for 256,305 CalSTRS pensioners, received through a series of public records request.

The data reveals that at just the 10 biggest school districts in the Greater Los Angeles area 1,541 CalSTRS pensioners took home pension payouts of $100,000 or more in 2014. The average pension for those who worked 30 years or more at these districts was $69,002 for the year. Of those who retired in 2000 and later, the figure was $75,554. (These payouts do not include the value of generous health benefits.)

Transparent California is California’s largest and most comprehensive database of public sector compensation and is run by the California Policy Center and Nevada Policy Research Institute.

Statewide, 8,888 CalSTRS retirees received pension payouts of $100,000 or more in 2014. The average pension for those who worked 30 years or more was $66,641 for the year. Of those who retired in 2000 and later, the figure was $74,910.

To view the data click here. To explore the data by specific school district click here.

“Widespread six-figure pension payouts for retired educators challenge the popular conception of the poor retired teacher struggling to get by on a fixed pension,” said Mark Bucher, president of the California Policy Center. “The release of this data will give policymakers, journalists and Californians-at-large better context of hot-button issues surrounding teacher contracts and compensation.”

The three biggest CalSTRS pension recipients in the Greater Los Angeles area in 2014 were:

  • William Habermehl, Orange County Office of Education, who received $347,856
  • Richard Bray, Tustin Unified School District, who received $307,135
  • Edward Hernandez Jr., Rancho Santiago Community College District, who received $304,652

The top five biggest pensions statewide went to retired educators in the Greater Los Angeles area. The three biggest CalSTRS pension recipients outside of Greater Los Angeles in 2014 were:

  • Marilyn Miller, Hillsborough City Elementary, who received $280,035
  • Johanna Vandermolen, Campbell Union Elementary, who received $278,003
  • Phil Quon, Cupertino Union, who received $274,899

Based on the ten biggest school districts in each region, the average pensions of those who worked 30 years or more by other California region were:

  • Bay Area: $65,414
  • Sacramento & the Central Valley: $63,682
  • Central Coast: $60,532
  • Greater San Diego: $65,605

Ten biggest school districts by total payroll in Greater Los Angeles

Name County Avg. Full-Career Pension
Greater Los Angeles = LA County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County, and Ventura County
Los Angeles Unified Los Angeles $67,786
Long Beach Unified Los Angeles $66,147
Santa Ana Unified Orange $73,714
San Bernardino City Unified San Bernardino $67,177
Garden Grove Unified Orange $75,199
Capistrano Unified Orange $78,250
Corona-Norco Unified Riverside $77,363
Fontana Unified San Bernardino $68,569
Riverside Unified Riverside $68,119
Anaheim Union High Orange $73,483

Transparent California is a project of two nonpartisan, free-market think tanks, the California Policy Center and Nevada Policy Research Institute. Learn more at TransparentCalifornia.com.

Over 400 retired educators of Bay Area receive eye-popping pension payouts of $100,000 or more

Robert Fellner 2015, Press Releases , ,

Over 400 retired educators of Bay Area receive eye-popping pension payouts of $100,000 or more

Bad Education: Transparent California Releases 2014 CalSTRS Pension Data

TUSTIN — Today, TransparentCalifornia.com released 2014 pension records for 256,305 CalSTRS pensioners, received through a series of public records request.

The data reveals that at just the 10 biggest school districts in the Bay Area 403 CalSTRS pensioners took home pension payouts of $100,000 or more in 2014. The average pension for those who worked 30 years or more at these districts was $65,413 for the year. Of those who retired in 2000 and later, the figure was $74,220. (These payouts do not include the value of generous health benefits.)

Transparent California is California’s largest and most comprehensive database of public sector compensation and is run by the California Policy Center and Nevada Policy Research Institute.

Statewide, 8,888 CalSTRS retirees received pension payouts of $100,000 or more in 2014. The average pension for those who worked 30 years or more was $66,641 for the year. Of those who retired in 2000 and later, the figure was $74,910.

To view the data click here. To explore the data by specific school district click here.

“Widespread six-figure pension payouts for retired educators challenge the popular conception of the poor retired teacher struggling to get by on a fixed pension,” said Mark Bucher, president of the California Policy Center. “The release of this data will give policymakers, journalists and Californians-at-large better context of hot-button issues surrounding teacher contracts and compensation.”

The three biggest CalSTRS pension recipients in the Bay Area in 2014 were:

  • James Smith, Evergreen Elementary, who received $287,434
  • Marilyn Miller, Hillsborough City Elementary, who received $280,035
  • Johanna Vandermolen, Campbell Union Elementary, who received $278,003

The top three biggest CalSTRS pension recipients statewide in 2014 were:

  • William Habermehl, Orange County Office of Education, who received $347,856
  • Richard Bray, Tustin Unified School District, who received $307,135
  • Edward Hernandez Jr., Rancho Santiago Community College District, who received $304,652

Based on the ten biggest school districts in each region, the average pensions of those who worked 30 years or more by other California region were:

  • Sacramento & the Central Valley: $63,682
  • Central Coast: $60,532
  • Greater Los Angeles: $69,002
  • Greater San Diego: $65,605

Ten biggest school districts by total payroll in the Bay Area

Name County Avg. Full-Career Pension
Bay Area = Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Francisco, Contra Costa, Alameda, Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Marin
San Francisco Unified San Francisco $59,391
Oakland Unified Alameda $61,305
Fremont Unified Alameda $74,745
San Jose Unified Santa Clara $67,318
Mt. Diablo Unified Contra Costa $60,151
San Ramon Valley Unified Contra Costa $69,326
West Contra Costa Unified Contra Costa $61,465
East Side Union High Santa Clara $78,187
Cupertino Union Elementary Santa Clara $73,359
Antioch Unified Contra Costa $64,821

Transparent California is a project of two nonpartisan, free-market think tanks, the California Policy Center and Nevada Policy Research Institute. Learn more at TransparentCalifornia.com.

Over 300 retired educators of Sacramento and the Central Valley receive eye-popping pension payouts of $100,000 or more

Robert Fellner 2015, Press Releases , ,

Over 300 retired educators of Sacramento & the Central Valley receive eye-popping pension payouts of $100,000 or more

Bad Education: Transparent California Releases 2014 CalSTRS Pension Data

TUSTIN — Today, TransparentCalifornia.com released 2014 pension records for 256,305 CalSTRS pensioners, received through a series of public records request.

The data reveals that at just the 10 biggest school districts in Sacramento & the Central Valley 308 CalSTRS pensioners took home pension payouts of $100,000 or more in 2014. The average pension for those who worked 30 years or more at these districts was $63,682 for the year. Of those who retired in 2000 and later, the figure was $70,084. (These payouts do not include the value of generous health benefits.)

Transparent California is California’s largest and most comprehensive database of public sector compensation and is run by the California Policy Center and Nevada Policy Research Institute.

Statewide, 8,888 CalSTRS retirees received pension payouts of $100,000 or more in 2014. The average pension for those who worked 30 years or more was $66,641 for the year. Of those who retired in 2000 and later, the figure was $74,910.

To view the data click here. To explore the data by specific school district click here.

“Widespread six-figure pension payouts for retired educators challenge the popular conception of the poor retired teacher struggling to get by on a fixed pension,” said Mark Bucher, president of the California Policy Center. “The release of this data will give policymakers, journalists and Californians-at-large better context of hot-button issues surrounding teacher contracts and compensation.”

The three biggest CalSTRS pension recipients in Sacramento & the Central Valley in 2014 were:

  • Jack McLaughlin, Stockton Unified School District, who received $266,899
  • James Enochs, Modesto City Elementary, who received $261,510
  • Larry Reider, Kern County Office of Education, who received $253,950

The top three biggest CalSTRS pension recipients statewide in 2014 were:

  • William Habermehl, Orange County Office of Education, who received $347,856
  • Richard Bray, Tustin Unified School District, who received $307,135
  • Edward Hernandez Jr., Rancho Santiago Community College District, who received $304,652

Based on the ten biggest school districts in each region, the average pensions of those who worked 30 years or more by other California region were:

  • Bay Area: $65,413
  • Central Coast: $60,532
  • Greater Los Angeles: $69,002
  • Greater San Diego: $65,605

Ten biggest school districts by total payroll in Sacramento & the Central Valley

Name County Avg. Full-Career Pension
Sacramento & Central Valley =  Butte, Colusa, Glenn, El Dorado, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Placer, San Joaquin, Sacramento, Shasta, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Tulare, Yuba, and Yolo
Fresno Unified Fresno $60,467
Elk Grove Unified Sacramento $66,837
San Juan Unified Sacramento $63,385
Sacramento City Unified Sacramento $63,551
Clovis Unified Fresno $63,179
Kern Union High Kern $70,821
Stockton Unified San Joaquin $63,404
Bakersfield City Elementary Kern $64,679
Lodi Unified San Joaquin $63,999
Folsom-Cordova Unified Sacramento $64,729

Transparent California is a project of two nonpartisan, free-market think tanks, the California Policy Center and Nevada Policy Research Institute. Learn more at TransparentCalifornia.com.