Guilford County educators rally for pay increases as funding request goes to commissioners

About 50 educators gathered in the parking lot across from the Guilford County Board of Education building, chanting and holding signs — many of which said “One Job Should Be Enough.”

Rondeshia Wallace, the cafeteria manager at Peck Elementary School, was one of several speakers. 

“When I have to apply for food stamps after giving 14 years of service to this district, I have to ask, what is the point of giving my valuable years of service to a school system that doesn't invest back into me?" Wallace said.

Erin Wenger, a first grade teacher in her 16th year, says she and her husband, who’s been a teacher for 20 years, are struggling with the state’s current pay scales.  

“We're looking at, like, a decade before I get another step increase, which is really hard to think about. My husband, we've already been stuck with his salary for five years," she said. "And so it's really important that we compensate veteran teachers for the experience they bring to the job.”

After the rally, attendees headed into a public hearing on the proposed budget, which includes an increase of nearly $44 million from the county. Doubtful that this will be fulfilled, many speakers urged the school board to request a $0.02 property tax rate increase to fund public schools.

While board members agreed schools need more funding, some, like Alan Sherouse, expressed uncertainty that asking the county for tax increases was the way to go. 

“I'm very eager to work with them to find more revenue, which we have to do," Sherouse said. "I'm willing to do my part as a taxpayer, but will not presume to tell them at this point how I feel that we should find it."

The board voted to approve the superintendent’s budget recommendation, which now heads to the county commissioners.

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.