A California woman has donated $1 million to 100 public school teachers after learning about low teacher pay and funding challenges in their district, giving each educator a surprise check worth $9,161.70. Marin County resident Maja Kristin made the donation to teachers in the Ross Valley School District, where educators were called to a meeting on August 13 without being told why. Kristin said she was troubled by what she considered an injustice in public school funding, particularly because the district is located in one of the wealthiest counties in the US. The teachers reportedly cheered when they opened their envelopes, with some describing the unexpected payment as life-changing. The donation also drew attention to a wider funding problem involving California's school funding system, property taxes and the high cost of living in Marin County.
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