LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For Maddie Shepard, president-elect of the Jefferson County Teachers Association, increasing teacher pay is about respect. She's concerned educator wages have lagged behind inflation. It's a problem legislators in Kentucky acknowledge.
A Republican-led budget moving through Frankfort calls for more money to go to schools across the state. They encourage its use for staff raises. However, a spokesperson with JCPS told WHAS11 it doesn't even equal a 1% raise for district employees.
On average, the proposed budget gives districts an additional $168 per student in SEEK funds. Because SEEK uses a special formula to distribute the money, JCPS would only see about $73 extra per student in state assistance. That's because property values, and thus property taxes, are higher in Jefferson County versus other Kentucky counties.
While it's not required to use the extra money on teacher raises, the potential legislation does threaten closures of schools and takeovers of school districts if they fail to hire and keep teachers.
"But there is funding to be had," Shepard said. "The state has not fulfilled its obligation to pay 100% of transportation costs in JCPS or other districts."
Increased transportation funding is part of the budget too. It would free up about $27 million for the district, which Shepard hopes would go towards higher pay. She also advocated for teachers having a bigger influence in how JCPS operates.
"A role in decision-making is something that I'll work towards as well in addition to addressing a lot of student behavior issues that a lot of teachers report," she said.
Those behavior problems, just like inflation, were intensified as a result of the pandemic.
Shepard moved to JCPS from Shelby County Schools in 2017. Her job is to coach other teachers in the district.
Currently, the president-elect is treasurer for the union. She takes on the new role on June 15.
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