Teachers, principals ask for 3 percent pay raise

 

Note: This story was updated at 4:55 p.m.

Teachers and principals in Oak Ridge Schools have asked for 3 percent pay increases in the budget year that starts July 1.

The request was made at last week’s Oak Ridge Board of Education meeting. It’s too early to say whether the request will be included in the budget proposal that will be presented to the BOE, possibly later this month or sometime next month, or approved by the school board, possibly in May.

In a presentation by Robertsville Middle School Principal Garfield Adams and Jefferson Middle School Principal Phil Cox, officials said Oak Ridge Schools administrators’ pay has been on a downward trend, falling from eighth in the state in 2008-2009 to 13th in 2014-2015. They said that trend reflects what is happening for teachers.

In a presentation by Steve Reddick and Mike Haygood of the Oak Ridge Education Association, officials said Oak Ridge teachers have the 27th best starting salary in the state.

Teachers asked for a 3 percent pay increase, with no change in benefits, so that’s what principals requested as well.

There was a 3 percent raise for staff this current school year. That increase was due at least in part to a 10-cent property tax rate increase in Anderson County that provided additional money to schools in Oak Ridge, Anderson County, and Clinton.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

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