Fresno Unified Trustees Approve Controversial Pay Raise

The 6-1 vote more than doubles monthly trustee pay, drawing criticism from teachers union.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 6:15pm

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The Fresno Unified School Board voted 6-1 to increase their monthly stipend from $2,110 to $4,500, or $54,000 annually, starting February 1st. This move, enabled by a recent state law change, has generated backlash from the Fresno Teachers Association, which argues the raises are 'tone-deaf' amid budget challenges facing the district.

Why it matters

The trustee pay raises, totaling $143,500 yearly, will shift funds away from the district's $1.9 billion education budget at a time when Fresno Unified is looking to make $50 million in cuts over the next two school years. The decision has sparked outrage in the community and raised questions about fair compensation for elected officials overseeing large public budgets.

The details

Five of the seven Fresno Unified trustees voted to accept the pay increase, which was enabled by a new state law (AB 1390) that adjusted compensation for school board members for the first time in over 40 years. The law allows stipends ranging from $600 to $4,500 per month based on average daily attendance. Two trustees, Andy Levine and Elizabeth Jonasson-Rosas, opted out of the raise and will continue receiving the previous $2,110 monthly stipend.

  • On February 1, 2026, the new $4,500 monthly trustee stipend will take effect.
  • In October 2025, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 1390 into law, adjusting compensation for school board members.

The players

Fresno Unified School Board

The governing body of the Fresno Unified School District, which manages a $1.9 billion budget and is responsible for policymaking, community engagement, and overseeing district operations.

Fresno Teachers Association (FTA)

The labor union representing approximately 4,000 teachers in the Fresno Unified School District, which has criticized the trustee pay raises as 'tone-deaf' amid budget challenges.

Assemblymember José Luis Solache (D-Lynwood)

The author of AB 1390, the state law that enabled the increase in school board member compensation.

Susan Wittrup

A Fresno Unified trustee who says the pay increase is an 'adjustment' aligned with state law, not a 'raise.'

Andy Levine

The lone Fresno Unified trustee who voted against the pay increase, opting to continue receiving the previous $2,110 monthly stipend.

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What they’re saying

“While the responsibilities of our school boards have grown exponentially in recent years, compensation limits have not been adjusted to reflect this reality.”

— Assemblymember José Luis Solache, Author of AB 1390

“I don't really see it as a raise. I see it is an adjustment. It was voted on by our legislators in Sacramento. In the district, we do align with (Education) Code, and that is Ed Code now.”

— Susan Wittrup, Fresno Unified Trustee

“This is about a timing issue. When we proposed that, we didn't say that it happened all at once, right. There are different methods that this board could choose in order to eventually get to a particular number... I think the shocking component at current is the amount in which they're doing it: 113%.”

— Manuel Bonilla, Fresno Teachers Association President

What’s next

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The takeaway

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