LEITCHFIELD, Ky. — Hundreds of Grayson County educators rallied along Main St. and marched to the Public Square for a boost in pay, calling themselves, some of the lowest paid educators in the region.
Signs reading 'Stand with Teachers,' 'I can't afford to be a teacher when I grow up,' and 'My second job paid for this sign' were in the hands of educators, parents, and students as honks of support filled the streets of Leitchfield.
Right now, teachers in the school district are paid around $40,000, they're asking for 5% more.
"Our educators are seeking elsewhere, they are leaving and we've got great educators that would stay if they were compensated," April Logsdon, a special education educator at Grayson County Middle School, said. "We give out heart every single day for our students. We just want the support. We want to feel like we’re appreciated for our hard work and dedication every single day for our kids to be successful.”
Recently passed Kentucky legislation did not mandate raises for school districts, instead legislators allocated money to school boards to then decide internally how to use it.
The Grayson County School Board approved to put all 100% of the state funding to increase salaries, nearly $1 million. Which adds up to a 3% raise for school staff.
"As an educator, I lived paycheck-to-paycheck, I worked extra hours, I even worked extra jobs and I had to do that to make sure I could meet all my bills," Eddie Campbell, Kentucky Education Association President, said. "It was a struggle early on and it continues to be. It's only gotten worse and worse because educator pay has not kept up with the cost of living, cost of inflation, especially over the last several years. It’s about respect and respecting them as the professionals they are.”
Parents, like Alisha Manion, are worried about the education their kids will get at the schools if qualified teachers leave for higher pay.
“I have kids who already went through the system and two more that’s coming through and I don’t want their teachers having to work two or three jobs, coming in tired to teach my kids. I want them to be happy and excited to teach them," she said.
Looking at surrounding counties, Breckinridge and Meade counties have starting salaries above $41,000 a year.
Hart County's salary is around $38,000, Larue County start their teachers at nearly $41,000 and Hardin Co. is at $42,000.
In Grayson Co., annual teacher salaries start at $40,000.
In a statement shared with WHAS11, Grayson Co. Superintendent Doug Robinson said:
"In the past few weeks, I have met with principals, the Grayson County Education Association and school leaders to provide additional details about our budget and the real numbers and, perhaps even more importantly, to listen.
We know our teachers and staff are the very heart of our schools. They give their all to give our kids their very best every day. We will continue to seek their input and work together to move forward."
The next Grayson County Board of Education meeting is June 13 from 6-7 p.m. at the Central Office.
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