Marin County resident gives $1 million in bonuses to lowest-paid teachers
A Northern California resident surprised 100 teachers with $9,161 checks after learning her district was among the lowest funded in the state.
Maja Kristin asked the Ross Valley School District in Marin County — one of the wealthiest counties in America — to organize a meeting of K-8 teachers on August 13 without disclosing the reason.
Gathered in a conference room, Kristin explained that Ross Valley teachers were paid the least among peers in Marin County, despite the county’s high income and sky-high property values. The district sits in the bottom 20th percentile for state school funding.
Kristin then asked principals to hand out envelopes. Inside were checks made out to each teacher for $9,161.70 — part of a $1 million donation.”We as citizens, we can write direct checks,” Kristin told the assembly. Local outlet KRON 4 captured teachers’ reactions.
“It’s life-changing,” teacher Sydney Dean said.”I don’t think I’ve ever experienced such a beautiful gift from someone I don’t even know or haven’t taught their kid,” Amber Bunnell-Wild added.
