Let’s remember that CA’s teachers are the highest paid in the nation, on average. Even higher cost-of-living states on the East Coast pay less.
Admittedly, their job here is tougher because our average class sizes are well above the nation’s average (that is why our overall k – 12 education spending is in about the middle compared to other states).
Some years ago the unions had a choice between higher pay with larger class sizes, and lower class sizes and lower pay. They chose the former. So much for caring about the welfare of the kids!