Teachers rally in Garner as County mulls budget
By Kyle Jahner, The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Organized by <org>North Garner Middle School teacher
"We're hoping that a strong enough show of support tonight would let (the commissioners) realize the public does support stanching this exodus of teachers out of this state," Timmel said.
County staff included most of the school board's budget request in its initial draft, but not the pay raises. The commissioners will receive public comment on the issue at public hearings at
However, on Monday, the
The state legislature's proposed budget includes pay raises, which Timmel characterized as a "shell game." The North Garner Teacher of the Year and semifinalist for Wake County Teacher of the Year noted that the state education budget actually shrank and that the money for a higher starting salary and wage increases, largely for newer teachers, came from other educators. In particular, she blasted the end of longevity pay and the halving of funding for teacher assistants.
Timmel said that increasing costs of insurance and elmination of longevity pay meant teachers with more than 10 years would effectively take about a 1.5 percent pay cut.
"Basically the children have been asked to pay for the teachers, and unlike legislators, we're not cannibals, so we're not going to devour our young for personal gain," Timmel said.
Virtually every time a few cars passed the group, gathered across from the Toot 'N Tell restaurant on
Several other
Mitchell said the controversy "wasn't about the money." However, he also noted that experienced, talented teachers could earn more making pastries and cakes than teaching.
"I thought when I came down here in 2004 that
Other
"If you are going to give us a raise, give us a raise. We work hard every day. We're here because we love school, we love our teachers, we love the kids. That's why we're here," Walton said.
Jahner: 919-829-4822;
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