Ventura Unified to offer teachers 6 percent raise, breaking months-long impasse
The district presented the Ventura Unified Education Association a new total compensation offer on Sept. 18 built around a 6% raise for certificated members, effective Jan. 1, 2027.
The Ventura Unified School District presented the Ventura Unified Education Association with a new total compensation offer on Sept. 18, breaking a months-long impasse and bringing both sides back to the negotiating table.
The raise. Effective Jan. 1, 2027, certificated members will receive a six percent salary raise, according to the district's news release. The offer covers teachers, counselors, nurses, and teacher-librarians.
Health benefits. In addition to existing plans, six new health benefit plans will be offered. Certificated members who elect more expensive plans will receive an 80 percent district contribution and pay a 20 percent employee share. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, legacy certificated members (employed on or before Feb. 13, 2024) will have access to nine no-cost plans, and non-legacy members will have access to seven no-cost plans.
Cost sharing context. In 2024-25, the district paid $26.6 million in health and welfare benefit costs. Those costs rose to $27.7 million in 2025-26. VUEA members last received a salary increase in July 2024. The district said efforts to share responsibility for containing health benefit costs with VUEA were ineffective, and increases in those costs impact the district's ability to offer raises.
Pay gap. VUSD's teachers are among the lowest paid in Ventura County. Approximately 50% of VUSD's teachers earn $100,000 or more. A six percent raise is at least $6,000 per year for those certificated members.
Background. Impasse was declared by all parties on May 7, 2026, after months of negotiation sessions. The parties had been participating in a confidential mediation process, which prohibited disclosure of proposals and discussions. By breaking impasse and returning to regular negotiations, the district said it hopes to put the community at ease over the uncertainty of the fact-finding process.
Housing angle. The offer comes alongside the district's broader effort to retain staff, including the recent sale of surplus properties that secured approximately 50 district-owned homes for employee housing.