Campbell County Schools are poised for potential salary increases for teachers and staff, following discussions at the recent board meeting on February 20, 2024. The board highlighted the importance of House Bill 6, currently under consideration in the Kentucky Senate, which aims to address funding for education and improve teacher retention.

During the meeting, officials presented data showing that while the average starting salary for teachers in Kentucky is $38,010, Campbell County has made strides to increase its first-year teacher salary to $44,329. However, this figure reflects a decrease in buying power of approximately 9.7% since before the pandemic, emphasizing the need for further financial support.

The board noted a concerning trend in teacher turnover rates, with Kentucky's overall rate at 24.9%, compared to Campbell County's 16.4%. This discrepancy highlights the district's efforts to retain quality educators amid a statewide shortage, evidenced by a 260% increase in unfilled teaching positions since the start of the 2023 school year.

Financial discussions also revealed that Kentucky currently holds $3.7 billion in taxpayer reserves, projected to rise to $5.2 billion. The board is advocating for a funding plan that would gradually increase the per-student funding base to $5,400 over the next four years, starting with $4,500 in fiscal year 2025.

The meeting concluded with a call to action for community members to engage with legislators to support these funding initiatives. The board emphasized the critical role of adequate funding in ensuring the recruitment and retention of high-quality staff, which ultimately benefits students across Campbell County.