Question #5
Do you support or oppose increasing educator’s salaries so that they are nationally competitive? If you are in support of increasing teachers’ salaries, what proposals would you make to achieve this?
Doyle Costello District #1
Yes, I support increasing salaries, but I would do things a bit differently. Incentive pay would be a good first step. Further, free tuition for teachers to obtain their Master's. Also, I think there is a great deal of wasteful spending so I would carefully review budget spending.
Keith S. Gryboski District #1
As with the previous question, I am not privy to the district’s rational for spending all the resources in their possession. I do think, like in the public world, the gap between Calhoun and teachers on the ground must be reduced. It is not a national issue; it is what does it take for a teacher to live in Charleston. In my current position, I must compete with the public market in hiring qualified employees. Given the state salary restrictions, it is almost impossible to hire anyone. But I do and it is because to the people I hire, teaching is a calling. I know from talking to experienced teachers, pay is an issue. It is not the number one issue. One solution would be to have the state must look at the teacher pay scale. We need to develop a system in which new teachers do not have to work two jobs or travel over an hour to work. This may require an incentive front in approach during the first 10 years of a new teacher’s career. We need to end the one to five and done new teacher drain. For all teachers, we need to stabilize the curriculums and provide a safe teaching environment.
Elizabeth Moffly District #2
I would use the billion plus on electives to make teachers salaries competitive and reduce administrators at the district level.
Sarah Shad Johnson District #2
Yes, most definitely, I am in support of increasing teachers' salaries so that they are nationally competitive. The cost of living is high in our area, and our teachers deserve more. It is my understanding that increasing salaries is a big priority this year for CCSD's Human Resources division, so if elected, I will be supporting that push.
Seana J. Flynn District #2
I support increasing educators' salaries to match the national average. This will require an increase in taxes. We need to restructure real-estate taxes so that the distribution is equitable throughout the county.
Grace Bouldin Cowan District #2
Did not respond
Ed Kelly District #2
Did not respond
EJ Milligan District #2
Did not respond
Chris Collins District #3
Yes: increase salary above national average.
Pam Mckinney District #3
Did not respond
Thomas Ravenell District #3
Did not respond
Ashley Peele District #3
I support. To attract high-quality education professionals, we have to have benefits and compensation packages that are competitive against neighboring districts but also competitive nationally, as some of the talent will have to be recruited nationally. Charleston County should lead all other regions in the state in the competitiveness of its compensation and benefits package for teachers. This should include performance-based incentives that reward teachers making a positive impact in turning poor-performing schools around.
Courtney Waters District #4
I am in support of increasing educator salaries. I believe the state provide a stronger supplement to school districts so I'd want to advocate for that within our delegation. This state has a strong financial position so there is opportunity. Additionally, I believe local businesses should fund teacher salary supplements. The Act 388 authorized fee in lieu agreements that are made rob the district of millions. That money should flow to the people who are preparing their work force, our teachers. They should not get to simply benefit from the district, they should be supporting in stronger ways.
Kevin D Hollinshead District #4
I support increasing educator's salaries , we need to have a analysis of jobs at central office that maybe duplicating services. So positions may can be phased out, we also need a forensic audit . We can not go to the public without checking to see our house is operating efficiently.
Vivian S Pettigrew District #5
I support have always supported educator's salaries being competitive.
Melissa Couture District #5
Yes. Money should be spent where the rubber meets the road, in the classrooms and on teachers. Administration spending has increased rapidly with no change in student outcomes.
Carlotte M. Bailey District #5
Did not respond
Erica Cokley District #6
Did not respond
Eric Thome District #6
Did not respond
Samuel Whatley II District #6
Did not respond
Lee Runyon District #6
I do support working to raise the starting teacher salary in CCSD to $60,000 within the next six years. To do so, we must invest in and support teachers with classroom level positions being top priority in the budget process. This means we must eliminate non-essential expenditures (ex. consultants, non-academic district level positions, etc.).
Sydney van Bulck District #7
100% support. You can cut a lot of things out of a school, but you cannot cut teachers. Retaining effective teachers must become our highest priority or we will fail our students and communities. As a board, we must work with the district to accomplish this goal and consider not passing a budget that doesn't make this a priority. There is entirely too much wasteful spending, so we start there and see what steps need to be taken further.
Jennifer Mieras District #7
Fair and competitive compensation is a critical factor in attracting and retaining top educators. Teachers’ salaries should be more in-line with comparative professions, such as nurses. The education budget must be fully funded. Additionally, district leaders must look for creative ways to ensure a living wage for all educators. Collaborative efforts between municipalities could increase workforce housing and possibly provide tax relief. Educators should not be expected to fundraise or use their own money to provide the materials needed in their classrooms.
When fully funded, if gaps still exist in the need for classroom resources, the district should engage community leaders, businesses, and elected representatives to identify the funds to fill these gaps.
Joy Brown District #7
Educator pay should absolutely be competitive, especially considering the cost of living in Charleston County. The district should work with our legislators to advocate for full funding for our school districts. We should also perform an audit of high paying district level staff to see if there are redundancies that can be trimmed to allow more money in the budget for teacher salaries.
Leah Whatley District #7
Did not respond
Travis Bedson District #8
Did not respond
Helen Davis-Frazier District #8
I support increasing salaries for teachers and others engaged in the school environment. We are always advocating for increased salaries for teachers and not for the aides, custodians, cooks and others who do not have persons lobbying for their best interest. I am also interested in differential pay for teachers who travel long distances to rural schools, those who teach in our alternative programs and teachers who elect to teach in our Acceleration Schools.
Doris Johnson District #8
Yes, re-examine the budget, by cutting back on other things by finding out where the funds are going.
I am in agreement that educators salaries be increased by putting children and teachers first.
Yes, I propose revisiting the budget making this a priority.
Darlene Dunmeyer District #8
Salaries for educators should absolutely be nationally competitive in order to attract educators who are equally knowledgeable and passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of students. Education is one of the few professions that make every other profession possible. There are a number of positions for which employees in the district have minimal knowledge regarding the position's purpose. To achieve increasing educators' salaries to a nationally competitive level, the district must do a needs assessment/forensic audit to determine which positions can remain effective if consolidated with another position. Only positions that are evidenced as having a direct impact on improving student achievement should exist.
Dr. Carol Tempel District #9
Teachers need to be paid a professional salary that is reflective of their education and national standards. The district’s salary schedule needs to be examined and revised to reflect that national standards and the board needs to prioritize its budgeting to support teacher salaries. The state needs to increase it’s funding and the district should work with its legislative delegation to emphasize the importance of having fair and equitable salaries for recruiting and retaining teachers.
Forest Bjork District #9
Did not respond
Graham Smith District #9
Did not respond
Do you support or oppose increasing educator’s salaries so that they are nationally competitive? If you are in support of increasing teachers’ salaries, what proposals would you make to achieve this?
Doyle Costello District #1
Yes, I support increasing salaries, but I would do things a bit differently. Incentive pay would be a good first step. Further, free tuition for teachers to obtain their Master's. Also, I think there is a great deal of wasteful spending so I would carefully review budget spending.
Keith S. Gryboski District #1
As with the previous question, I am not privy to the district’s rational for spending all the resources in their possession. I do think, like in the public world, the gap between Calhoun and teachers on the ground must be reduced. It is not a national issue; it is what does it take for a teacher to live in Charleston. In my current position, I must compete with the public market in hiring qualified employees. Given the state salary restrictions, it is almost impossible to hire anyone. But I do and it is because to the people I hire, teaching is a calling. I know from talking to experienced teachers, pay is an issue. It is not the number one issue. One solution would be to have the state must look at the teacher pay scale. We need to develop a system in which new teachers do not have to work two jobs or travel over an hour to work. This may require an incentive front in approach during the first 10 years of a new teacher’s career. We need to end the one to five and done new teacher drain. For all teachers, we need to stabilize the curriculums and provide a safe teaching environment.
Elizabeth Moffly District #2
I would use the billion plus on electives to make teachers salaries competitive and reduce administrators at the district level.
Sarah Shad Johnson District #2
Yes, most definitely, I am in support of increasing teachers' salaries so that they are nationally competitive. The cost of living is high in our area, and our teachers deserve more. It is my understanding that increasing salaries is a big priority this year for CCSD's Human Resources division, so if elected, I will be supporting that push.
Seana J. Flynn District #2
I support increasing educators' salaries to match the national average. This will require an increase in taxes. We need to restructure real-estate taxes so that the distribution is equitable throughout the county.
Grace Bouldin Cowan District #2
Did not respond
Ed Kelly District #2
Did not respond
EJ Milligan District #2
Did not respond
Chris Collins District #3
Yes: increase salary above national average.
Pam Mckinney District #3
Did not respond
Thomas Ravenell District #3
Did not respond
Ashley Peele District #3
I support. To attract high-quality education professionals, we have to have benefits and compensation packages that are competitive against neighboring districts but also competitive nationally, as some of the talent will have to be recruited nationally. Charleston County should lead all other regions in the state in the competitiveness of its compensation and benefits package for teachers. This should include performance-based incentives that reward teachers making a positive impact in turning poor-performing schools around.
Courtney Waters District #4
I am in support of increasing educator salaries. I believe the state provide a stronger supplement to school districts so I'd want to advocate for that within our delegation. This state has a strong financial position so there is opportunity. Additionally, I believe local businesses should fund teacher salary supplements. The Act 388 authorized fee in lieu agreements that are made rob the district of millions. That money should flow to the people who are preparing their work force, our teachers. They should not get to simply benefit from the district, they should be supporting in stronger ways.
Kevin D Hollinshead District #4
I support increasing educator's salaries , we need to have a analysis of jobs at central office that maybe duplicating services. So positions may can be phased out, we also need a forensic audit . We can not go to the public without checking to see our house is operating efficiently.
Vivian S Pettigrew District #5
I support have always supported educator's salaries being competitive.
Melissa Couture District #5
Yes. Money should be spent where the rubber meets the road, in the classrooms and on teachers. Administration spending has increased rapidly with no change in student outcomes.
Carlotte M. Bailey District #5
Did not respond
Erica Cokley District #6
Did not respond
Eric Thome District #6
Did not respond
Samuel Whatley II District #6
Did not respond
Lee Runyon District #6
I do support working to raise the starting teacher salary in CCSD to $60,000 within the next six years. To do so, we must invest in and support teachers with classroom level positions being top priority in the budget process. This means we must eliminate non-essential expenditures (ex. consultants, non-academic district level positions, etc.).
Sydney van Bulck District #7
100% support. You can cut a lot of things out of a school, but you cannot cut teachers. Retaining effective teachers must become our highest priority or we will fail our students and communities. As a board, we must work with the district to accomplish this goal and consider not passing a budget that doesn't make this a priority. There is entirely too much wasteful spending, so we start there and see what steps need to be taken further.
Jennifer Mieras District #7
Fair and competitive compensation is a critical factor in attracting and retaining top educators. Teachers’ salaries should be more in-line with comparative professions, such as nurses. The education budget must be fully funded. Additionally, district leaders must look for creative ways to ensure a living wage for all educators. Collaborative efforts between municipalities could increase workforce housing and possibly provide tax relief. Educators should not be expected to fundraise or use their own money to provide the materials needed in their classrooms.
When fully funded, if gaps still exist in the need for classroom resources, the district should engage community leaders, businesses, and elected representatives to identify the funds to fill these gaps.
Joy Brown District #7
Educator pay should absolutely be competitive, especially considering the cost of living in Charleston County. The district should work with our legislators to advocate for full funding for our school districts. We should also perform an audit of high paying district level staff to see if there are redundancies that can be trimmed to allow more money in the budget for teacher salaries.
Leah Whatley District #7
Did not respond
Travis Bedson District #8
Did not respond
Helen Davis-Frazier District #8
I support increasing salaries for teachers and others engaged in the school environment. We are always advocating for increased salaries for teachers and not for the aides, custodians, cooks and others who do not have persons lobbying for their best interest. I am also interested in differential pay for teachers who travel long distances to rural schools, those who teach in our alternative programs and teachers who elect to teach in our Acceleration Schools.
Doris Johnson District #8
Yes, re-examine the budget, by cutting back on other things by finding out where the funds are going.
I am in agreement that educators salaries be increased by putting children and teachers first.
Yes, I propose revisiting the budget making this a priority.
Darlene Dunmeyer District #8
Salaries for educators should absolutely be nationally competitive in order to attract educators who are equally knowledgeable and passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of students. Education is one of the few professions that make every other profession possible. There are a number of positions for which employees in the district have minimal knowledge regarding the position's purpose. To achieve increasing educators' salaries to a nationally competitive level, the district must do a needs assessment/forensic audit to determine which positions can remain effective if consolidated with another position. Only positions that are evidenced as having a direct impact on improving student achievement should exist.
Dr. Carol Tempel District #9
Teachers need to be paid a professional salary that is reflective of their education and national standards. The district’s salary schedule needs to be examined and revised to reflect that national standards and the board needs to prioritize its budgeting to support teacher salaries. The state needs to increase it’s funding and the district should work with its legislative delegation to emphasize the importance of having fair and equitable salaries for recruiting and retaining teachers.
Forest Bjork District #9
Did not respond
Graham Smith District #9
Did not respond