Union County’s recent budget increase aimed at boosting teacher salaries has become a point of contention between the county commissioners and the Union County Public Schools. Despite an anticipated $8.8 million increase meant for teacher salary supplements, these raises have yet to materialize.
Union County Public Schools have delayed the salary supplement hikes, citing the absence of a state budget. Meanwhile, county commissioners anticipated that their funding increase would translate into $1,000 raises for teachers.
After learning about communications suggesting the county was at fault for insufficient funding, the commissioners addressed the school board with an open letter.
“I was, one, shocked that they didn’t get it, and then I was shocked that this board was blamed that they didn’t do that,” stated Melissa Merrill, Chair of the Union County Board of Commissioners, during a recent meeting.
Although the commissioners are advocating for the district to implement the salary increases, they lack the legal authority to dictate the allocation of funds.
According to School Board Chair Rev. Jimmy Bention Sr., the situation was exacerbated by a misunderstanding on social media. The district initially sought over $14 million to fund $2,000 raises, a fact acknowledged in the county’s correspondence.
Bention clarified that the district’s comments about the $2,000 supplement were misunderstood. “It was just simply said, ‘Oh, the county did not fund that, that $2,000 or enough money to get the $2,000.’ That’s a true statement,” Bention explained. “However, you can’t take that statement and then go out and say that the county board of commissioners didn’t fund us. That’s a false statement.”
The district has paused the financial allocation to monitor state budget developments and determine the feasible raise amount for teachers. The finance committee plans to address the issue in an upcoming meeting.
Union County currently ranks 37th in the state for teacher salary supplements. District leaders hope that a $2,000 increase will elevate their ranking into the top 10, while a $1,000 increase could move them into the top 20, contingent on other districts’ changes.
Union County Schools expressed in a statement to WFAE their commitment to working with the county board to “invest in our employees and increase compensation.”
“Leaders are evaluating current funding to determine what level of teacher supplement increase will be recommended to the Board of Education for the 2025-2026 school year,” the statement continued. “At the October Finance Committee meeting, staff will present recommendations for a local supplement increase.”
