Clovis Unified ranks among top 10 US employers for women in 2020, Forbes magazine says

Clovis Unified ranked among the top 10 employers in America for women in Forbes magazine 2020 list.

“While I was surprised, I think what separates us from other school districts is we really do have a strong organizational culture that promotes the ability for people to become the best versions of themselves,” Clovis Unified Superintendent Eimear O’Farrell said in an interview with The Bee.

The magazine worked with market research firm Statista surveying 75,000 Americans, including 45,000 women.

Respondents from the survey shared their opinions on their employer’s culture. The survey included questions about career development opportunities, image, working conditions, salary and wages, and diversity.

Clovis Unified came in at No. 9 on the national list.

The surveys were compiled in March and April 2020, before the economic effects of COVID-19 hit all employment sectors. The list reflects the feelings of employees during that time.

Clovis unified staff is made up of 24% women in non-teaching positions and 68.5% female teachers. On average, Clovis Unified teachers are paid about $72,000 a year.

The good news for Clovis schools comes as the U.S. economy faces historic losses. Professional women are expected to bear the brunt of job losses and lower pay, according to a policy brief released earlier this year by the United Nations.

In Clovis, schools so far have avoided layoffs but have put the breaks on hiring for some positions.

With many campuses shuttered by the pandemic, working mothers are expected to take on the lion’s share of homeschooling responsibilities.

Many female teachers find themselves in a particularly difficult position, juggling their full-time teaching jobs while also helping their own children navigate distance learning.

But while many continue working from home, Clovis schools are asking most of their teachers to return to campuses to conduct distance learning from their classrooms. Initially, the district had hopes of keeping their childcare facilities, “Campus Club,” as an option for working parents, but Gov. Gavin Newsom’s orders prevent on-campus childcare.

“It’s been a very controversial question,” O’Farrell said. “We thought we’d offer this during the school day for the working mom. Most of our payroll (department) are women.”

As an alternative option, teachers can bring their children with them to the classroom. However, that doesn’t work for all Clovis staffers since many, especially non-teachers, work in closer-quarters with multiple people.

And having their children at work creates its own problems for teachers who said it would be difficult to teach classes and tend to their kids simultaneously.

The district has given some teachers the option of working from their homes, but the district continues to urge teachers to work on campuses whenever possible, O’Farrell said.

“We also recognize that whether the teacher is in the vulnerable age group or (has) health concerns or needs childcare or is safeguarding the health of a family member - all of those criteria will qualify a teacher to teach at home with the same professional expectation.”

The Education Lab is a local journalism initiative that highlights education issues critical to the advancement of the San Joaquin Valley. It is funded by donors. Learn about The Bee’s Education Lab on our web

This story was originally published August 7, 2020 at 9:50 AM.