Madera Unified teachers, who are contemplating a strike, gathered Wednesday morning to demand competitive wages amidst what they label a “growing retention crisis.”

A crowd of Madera Unified Teacher Association members marched in front of Desmond Middle School and Matilda Torres High School, carrying pickets and issuing choice words for district administration.

“We’re fed up, and unless the administrators start to understand us, we aren’t going to have any other option than going on strike,” union member Tutti Houghton said.

The demonstrators cited low pay, falling teacher retention, and lack of support as central concerns. They also claimed that the district has funneled funds away from teachers to consultants.

The District Responds

“Madera Unified remains fully engaged in the collective bargaining process and is committed to reaching an agreement that is fair, fiscally responsible, and sustainable,” the district said in a statement. “We value our teachers and the essential role they play in student success, while also ensuring responsible stewardship of public resources and long-term stability for the district.”

In its “last, best, and final offer”, MUTA requested an 8% base salary increase. The district countered with a 4% hike.

With the negotiations at an impasse, a meeting with a state mediator is scheduled for Dec. 12.

Did Madera Unified Give Incorrect Info to County Superintendent?

The tense situation reached a tipping point after the union discovered Madera Unified has applied for an exemption to a state law requiring school districts to allocate at least 55% of their budget to teacher salaries every year since COVID.

Furthermore, the union has accused the district of sharing incorrect information with the Madera County Superintendent of Schools in their most recent application.

The district reportedly claimed there had been a miscalculation and refiled the forms.

“The new forms again included incorrect data that rendered the documents false,” MUTA said in a statement. “Still, even the revised documents showed that in 2024-25 alone, nearly $10 million in statewide tax dollars were moved out of classrooms.”

The Madera County Superintendent of Schools audits and reviews the district’s finances before submission, Madera Unified said.

“MUSD consistently receives positive certification of its financials and shares them with staff at least four times per year after board approval,” the MUSD statement said.

Trend of Exemption Waivers

Madera Unified is among many districts leaning on exemption waivers. For example, 16 of Fresno County’s 31 districts applied for a waiver this year.

Many California districts contend the 1970s state law requiring 55% funding for classrooms is flawed because the percentage calculation doesn’t include school psychologists and speech pathologists.

“Those extra resources and support are needed, absolutely,” MUTA President David Holder said. “However, the amount of money that this district is using, it’s not equitable in terms of the private companies and consultants, people that are coming out to train.”

This year, the district missed the 55% mark by $29 million, according to a MUTA letter sent to the Madera County Superintendent of Schools.

Madera Unified cited declining enrollment for a reduction in funding and teachers not receiving a salary increase since the 2023-24 school year.

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Teachers are Leaving for Better Pay

The district lacks competitive pay, resulting in top-notch educators leaving for other districts, teachers say. Meanwhile those who remain committed to Madera Unified struggle to pay their household bills.

“Of the 20 years that I’ve taught in MUSD, it’s gotten to the point where it’s no longer economically smart for me to continue working here,” said Scott Weber, a high school English teacher. “It’s a punch in the gut to hear that they’d rather dump millions of dollars to consultants, rather than taking care of the people who truly help make MUSD great.”

The average Madera Unified teacher’s total compensation for 2025/2026 is $117,500, including benefits, according to a statement from the district.

Eighty teachers left this past school year and 40 of those positions remain vacant this year, union members said.

The gap in staff leaves teachers with large class sizes and a reduced support system, says literacy coach Nicole Bridges.

“We have first grade and second grade classes that have almost 30 kids … and there’s just not enough support for them,” Bridges said. “Teachers don’t feel supported in any way because there’s not enough staff, there’s not enough funds, and so the burnout’s real right now.”

Bridges and her husband have worked at Madera Unified for the past decade. Now, they must take it month by month, barely making ends meet, she said.

“We are fully prepared to go on strike,” Bridges said. “And I feel like that is the feeling across our district.”