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Commission: Education supplements not likely this year

By Lisa Majors-Duff
Unlike at a meeting last month with the school board, area teachers did not cheer at the news delivered by members of the county commission on the prospect of funding a salary supplement for educators.

Some 10 Jackson County teachers and administrators appealed to members of the commission last week (Feb. 17) for salary hikes using the same program warmly received last month by the school board. But the results were vastly different, with the three board members present rejecting the possibility of a 5 percent supplement next year.

Stating his position as a 14-year teaching veteran prior to being elected county manager in 1998, Chairman Jay Denton told those present that an additional $662,000 - the estimated cost of a 5 percent supplement for principals, assistant principals, Central Office staff, teachers and assistant teachers - would put Jackson County "in a bind" next year when a $2.2 million debt service will be due. That debt is in large part due to the county's "major investment in education this year," he said, including facility improvements at five of the county's six schools.

"I'd like to say that I endorse supplements for teachers, but it will be difficult for me to add this amount of money to the school board's budget this year," Denton said. "When I sit here and say that I cannot support a supplement, then it looks like I'm anti-teacher. I'm not. "I've gone to bat for you to get you in good facilities," he continued. "That may not benefit your pocket books, but you'll be proud of those improvements."

In addition to new classrooms at Fairview Elementary, Smokey Mountain Elementary and Blue Ridge schools, a new school for Scotts Creek students and major renovations at Smoky Mountain High, Denton reminded audience members that the county has increased the school board's budget by $1 million over the last two years.

"What (the school board does) with their money is their decision, not ours," he said. "I wish our budget was so that we could give you a supplement, but I don't know how," said Commissioner Roberta Crawford. "I have gotten myself into some pretty hot water in the past by questioning the way the school board spends its money, but I do wish they would spend it a little differently.

"In all the meetings we had with the Board of Education, they told us they needed facilities," she continued. "The supplement was never brought up."

Commissioner Stacy Buchanan, a teacher at Smoky Mountain High, said he will remain neutral on the subject of supplements, as recommended by the Local Government Commission in Raleigh, which has said he should not vote on the issue in order to prevent a conflict of interest on his part.

"If the board did approve (a supplement), I would ask that my part be used elsewhere," he said. Commissioners Conrad Burrell and Franz Whitmire, a retired educator, were not present for the county's work session.

Paying teachers more would benefit the community, the teachers told the commissioners, by helping to attract business, increase expendable income and promoting community pride. Supplements would benefit education by allowing the school system to attract and retain the best teachers, improve morale and maintain high test scores, they said.

Teacher supplements would also benefit students, they said, by giving them access to excellent teachers, reducing teacher turnover, helping students earn high test scores and aiding local seniors in competing for spots at top colleges.

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