As an assemblymember running for state superintendent of schools in 2018, Tony Thurmond’s largest donor was the state teachers union, which contributed some $8 million to his campaign. Thurmond barely won. A bond was born.
Now it is no secret that the teachers want a huge favor from the outgoing superintendent in perhaps his last big decision. On his desk is a request to step into the financial mess at the Sacramento City Unified School District and to reinstate a contract extension for the teachers that protects their salaries and benefits for four years.
David Gordon, superintendent of the Sacramento County Office of Education, quickly vetoed the extension, which the district’s board had unanimously approved in July, citing the need for “extraordinary fiscal discipline.”…