Mike Haygood, assistant principal at Jefferson Middle School, asks for a 4 percent salary increase on behalf of the Oak Ridge Education Association. At left is Steve Reddick, OREA co-president, and at center is Phil Cox, JMS principal.
Oak Ridge teachers and principals have requested a 4 percent salary increase in the fiscal year that starts July 1.
Teachers said they’ve “gone backwards†in terms of real buying power during the past decade. And administrators said it’s become more difficult to attract quality applicants in part because of salaries.
It’s not clear yet if the requested increases will be approved or if the money is available or would require a property tax rate increase. There are a number of steps to complete before the budget receives final approval in June. Among other things, it has to be considered by both the Oak Ridge Board of Education and Oak Ridge City Council.
Robertsville Middle School Principal Bruce Lay said he knows the school board and administrators want to provide pay increases, but the “funding just has not been there.â€
“It’s been tough budget times,†Lay told the Oak Ridge Board of Education on Monday, adding that he hopes it’s getting better.
Fifteen years ago, Lay said, Oak Ridge Schools could recruit new staff and not worry about them turning down jobs here. But he suggested that’s not necessarily true anymore.
“We are no longer there,†Lay said.
If, for example, someone has to commute from Maryville or Rockwood to teach in Oak Ridge, they’re likely to take into account the cost of commuting here when deciding whether to accept a job, Lay said.
Also, new tenure requirements may, when combined with salary, make it more difficult to recruit today, school officials said.
“It’s just becoming more difficult to attract quality individuals,†Lay said.
Meanwhile, teachers said they’ve had an average increase of 1.5 percent during the past 10 years, while the cost of living has gone up an average of 2.38 percent per year.
“In real buying power of the last 10 years, we’ve actually gone backwards,†said Mike Haygood, co-president of the Oak Ridge Education Association.
“Oak Ridge teachers have been required to do more and more with less and less for years now,†OREA Co-president Steve Reddick said.
A presentation by Haygood said the OREA is requesting:
- increasing the base salary by 4 percent,
- maintaining funding for all staff positions—certified and teaching assistants,
- increasing all eligible personnel by one experience increment, and
- maintaining health insurance, eye care, and dental benefits at current levels.
Haygood’s presentation said Oak Ridge ranks 15th in the state for those with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, with a $36,407 average. Oak Ridge’s average $40,048 salary ranks 16th in the state for those with a minimum of a master’s degree.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
Sam Hopwood says
“Prospective teachers might turn down an offer if they have to consider the cost to commute to Oak Ridge.” Gee, here’s a thought….. MOVE to Oak Ridge! But then, a significant percentage of teachers already choose not to live in Oak Ridge. That speaks volumes.
WK Hyatt says
I support the increase, its important to attract and maintain good teachers, added to that the fact they have had some weak or no increases the last few years. Of course this applies to a lot of workers in a lot of professions as companies and governments have been very stingy with wage increases, while prices of necessities, like food have continued to rise.
Sam makes a good point too, driving back and forth to Knoxville costs. I did it for a year in the 70s, you don’t really come out better living over there if you work here. Lots of costs, like more gas, tires more often, miles on your car, paying for services such as garbage, and fire protection on the side. I always liked the sign that was up at Solway, “If you lived in Oak Ridge, you would be home by now!!”