A three percent salary reduction for teachers and classified staff members was approved by the Banks County Board of Education Thursday night.
The action came after two public hearings were held to get input from the community on the salary cut. Approximately 50 people attended the hearings and only five spoke.
At the hearing on Wednesday, April 1, four people spoke with two being bus drivers who asked that their salaries not be cut and pointed out that they are already “the lowest on the totem pole.”
“We’re here to listen to your concerns,” BOE chairman Ron Gardiner said.
Starla Shirley first spoke and asked that the bus driver salaries not be cut.
“We bus drivers do not feel our salaries should be cut,” she said. “…We don’t make anything now.”
She pointed out that some of the raises approved last year for some staff members total more than a bus driver makes in two years. She also spoke on the many duties the bus drivers have, including discipline and returning items students leave on the bus.
Bus driver Gena Carland also spoke against the pay cut.
Others speaking included teacher Gena Moore who said she would prefer a pay cut instead of employees losing their jobs.
Thursday night, only one person spoke. Jerry Payne Jerry Payne said that the board needs to look at what is the most important thing for the children and the quality of education needs to be maintained.
Following the public hearing on Thursday night, the board reconvened at 8 p.m. to vote on the proposal.
“As we have discussed at the past two hearings, my recommendations stands that we have a three percent reduction in local supplement to teachers and a three percent salary reduction to classified staff,” superintendent Chris Erwin said.
The vote was unanimous for approval.
PERSONNEL ACTION
Also during the meeting Thursday night, the BOE meet in closed session 30 minutes to discuss personnel. When the meeting was reopened, the board approved the resignation of Lori Rylee and Gerald Payton effective at the end of the 2008-2009 school year. Rylee is the assistant transportation director and Payton is a teacher at the high school.
The BOE also approved family medical leaves for Bonnie Parson, a custodian at the primary school, and Beverly Wilson, a bus driver.
Also . . . is Mr. Erwin and the county office staff getting a 3% pay cut? This should be across the board - same for all employees to be fair.
Does anyone else find it disconcerting that NONE of the members of the BORED could actually qualify to be teachers, since none of them have college degrees?
What would Jesus do?
He would look for the blessings in these hard times. He would look for a way to help others in need. He would not be wishing that others would have their jobs taken away. He would not be hateful and cruel to people who would give their last dime if you needed it.
I have lost my job and by the grace of God, I am hanging on for now. Don't let hard times harden your heart..... Be thankful.....