Twin Rivers Pension Perk Has Parents, Teachers Outraged

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A rare pension perk for top administrators is costing a local school district tens of thousands of dollars—something parents and teachers were outraged over.

More than a dozen administrators at the Twin Rivers School District do not have to pay any portion of their pension contributions.

It wasn't on Tuesday nights' agenda, but parents and teachers were going to be heard on the pension issues, upset that administrators were getting too sweet of a deal.

"Let me be your official contract ripper."

Upset because since 2008, several high level educators haven't paid a single dime into their pensions.

"It bothers me that the amount of perks that these folks have, to go along with their salary, is ridiculous," said parent Dorn Heeb.

The unusual benefit was brought forward by the newest District Superintendent Steven Martinez who is paying into his own pension.

Employees are supposed to pay 8 percent of their pension, but three current administrators paid absolutely nothing. That perk cost the district $51,000 last year alone.

"It doesn't just irritate us," said teachers' union president John Ennis. "We have classified employees, food service workers, bus drivers that pay into PERS and make barely a living wage."

State lawmakers passed legislation that forces public employees to pay half of their pension costs. But the law does not apply to those hired before this year. Which means 10 past Twin Rivers administrators made out on the deal, and are still collecting checks.