Members of the nearly created Jacksonville-North Pulaski School School Board will vote on teacher salaries this evening.
By the start of the school year in fall 2016, some Jacksonville teachers could make less than they currently do under the Pulaski County Special School District. According to Interim Superintendent Tony Wood, the district's most experienced teachers may see a drop in pay.
“I'm sorry that this separation is going to reflect that should some people choose to accept employment with Jacksonville, that in contrast with a prior year, there is a decrease in the compensation they are making. That's hard on anyone," said Wood.
Under the proposed salary schedule, a teacher with the highest level of experience would make $55,500 in the Jacksonville-North Pulaski district, as opposed to over $68,800 in Pulaski County. Starting salaries for teachers with a bachelor's degree but no teaching experience will go up to $38,000 from $32,175 in the PCSSD.
Pam Fitzgiven is president of the Pulaski County Teacher’s union. She said some teachers have been upset about the salary drop.
"It is my hope that the teachers in the Jacksonville schools will organize and collaborate with the community, who obviously have a vested interest in the Jacksonville school district," said Fitzgiven.
The Jacksonville-North Pulaski district will be fully operational as a separate district by the fall of the 2016/2017 school year. Voters in the area approved separating from the PCSSD last November.
