The Greenbrier County Board of Education supports efforts of a teacher’s organization seeking salary increases, according to the West Virginia Daily News.
In support of the West Virginia Education Association’s (WVEA) plan to lobby state lawmakers for higher wages for public school faculty and staff, the Greenbrier County Board of Education (GCBE) has signed a proclamation of the plan.
At the Nov. 12 Board of Education meeting, WVEA Greenbrier County President Jennifer Hanson presented the facts the teacher’s union is taking to the state. Hanson, who teaches at Rupert Elementary School, explained how West Virginia teachers’ pay ranks 48th in the nation. Ranking 38th in the nation in 1993, West Virginia salaries now trail the national average by $10,000.
Hanson says recruiting out-of state teachers, and retaining recent teaching graduates is difficult with the low pay issues. Of 1,541 graduates, only 438 were employed by West Virginia. Hanson added that 30 percent of our teachers are eligible for retirement this year; and with factoring in retirees over the next five years, West Virginia may face a teacher shortage.
Hanson stated that WVEA representatives are asking all county boards to sign this statement of support. The members of the GCBE signed the proclamation unanimously.
GCBE president, Kathy King informed the audience that when Superintendent Sallie Dalton was hired last year, she had said that getting teachers raises was going to be a priority.
