“I’ve never seen a group of people more crushed” | Sullivan County teachers speak out about failed pay raise

BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL)—On Tuesday, the Sullivan County Commission voted on a resolution regarding the county’s school year budget, which included a 15% raise for teachers.

The resolution failed 12-10 , with 13 votes needed to pass. After months of trying for the raise, the news came as a crushing blow for teachers.

“It was disappointing,” said Natasha Cole, an art teacher at Holston Elementary School. “I think it was disappointing for everyone that was in the meeting, in the room.”

“To still be told no after so many meetings,” said Megan Householder, a third-grade teacher at Holston Elementary School. “It was disappointing.”

The decision also shocked school board member Michael Hughes, who said teachers in the county needed the raise.

“We just want to get close enough that our people are paid as the professionals that they are,” Hughes said.

Commission leaders said that if the resolution had been passed, the county would not have enough money to operate next year unless there was a tax increase.

But Hughes said the district has enough money to make the raise happen.

“We presented a balanced budget that did not require any additional tax money,” Hughes said. “We have the money; there’s no excuse [on] Earth this should not have happened.”

Hughes said the push for a teacher raise will continue. For teachers like Householder and Conner, this means there’s still hope for the raise they continue to fight for.

“[The board has] let us know that they’re going to continue to back us,” Householder said. “And they’re going to continue to fight the good fight for Sullivan County.”

“They are really trying to help us on a more level playing ground, and they are very supportive of us,” said Conner.

Hughes said he hopes the school board and the county commission will be able to reach an agreement on the budget before the board’s meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 7.

The meeting will take place at 4:30 p.m. The board will still hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, Aug. 8.

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