Education staff in the country’s richest zip code will also go on strike starting on the 23rd

In an exclusive interview, we delve into the recent developments surrounding the wealthiest ZIP code in the United States, 94027, located on the San Francisco Peninsula. Here, the Las Lomitas Elementary School District, which serves the communities of Atherton and Menlo Park, has seen its educators initiate a strike starting on October 23.

According to Bay Area NBC reports, 94027 stands as the nation’s wealthiest postal code, yet its educators are fighting for higher salaries and improved healthcare and retirement benefits. On the evening of October 22, representatives from the Las Lomitas Education Association confirmed to media outlets that the strike would commence the following day.

“The stark reality is that educators have been working without a contract since July 2023,” one teacher remarked. “This district has ample resources to offer us competitive pay and reliable healthcare. Without adequate compensation, many of us face the tough decision to leave the district or even the teaching profession entirely.”

Union leader Jennifer Montalvo emphasized the impact of high teacher turnover on students, stating that in this affluent ZIP code, educators are struggling to earn a living wage with benefits that meet their basic needs.

Both Atherton and Menlo Park are situated in San Mateo County, just south of San Francisco.

The school district’s latest offer, disclosed Tuesday evening, includes a 7% salary increase retroactive to the 2023-24 school year, followed by a 3% increase starting in 2024-25. Additionally, they proposed a tenure stipend of $3,358 effective July 1, 2024, and health benefits equivalent to 100% coverage of the Kaiser individual plan, valued at $14,358, commencing January 1, 2025.

In contrast, the union’s demands consist of an 8% salary increase retroactive to the 2023-24 year, an ongoing 8% increase starting in 2024-25, and an adjustment to the Kaiser individual plan coverage ceiling to 110% effective January 1, 2025. They also seek to eliminate fees for CalPERS retirement accounts, which amount to $1,812 per individual, starting January 1, 2025.

As this situation unfolds, the gap between the district’s considerable resources and the educators’ needs continues to raise concerns about the educational landscape in one of the nation’s wealthiest communities.