Lexington school staff, leaders urge county to extend supplement pay to classified employees

Dozens of Lexington City School employees and board members asked Davidson County commissioners on May 27 to let the city reallocate proposed supplement funding so classified staff — bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers, teacher assistants and clerical staff — receive raises alongside classroom teachers.

Those who spoke at the public-comment portion of the county meeting said competitive pay for classified staff is critical to daily school operations and student safety. “They are the backbone of our operations,” Lisa Hathaway, a Lexington School Board member and former exceptional-children teacher, said. “They deserve fair compensation.”

The request from Lexington City Schools asks the county to allow flexibility in how new supplement dollars are distributed within the city system. Nakia Hardy, who identified herself as speaking on behalf of Lexington City Schools, said the district is not asking for additional county funds but for the flexibility to reallocate the supplement so both instructional and operational staff can be supported. “We are not asking for new money,” Hardy said. “We are simply asking for the flexibility to reallocate and enhance the proposed supplement.”

Several classified employees described the practical effects of low pay. Dan Behringer, the district’s director of transportation, said the system is struggling to recruit and retain bus drivers and that combined routes and late drop-offs are affecting families. “When that happens, we have to combine routes, we delay pickups and families are adversely affected,” Behringer said.

Bridget Effinger, a bus driver for 39 years, described longer routes and later drop-offs as a consequence of driver shortages and said higher supplements would help keep trusted drivers. Angie Hayes, who runs child nutrition for Lexington City Schools, described how short staffing slows meal service and can force last-minute adjustments to available menus.

Multiple speakers cited specific supplement numbers presented by Lexington City Schools representatives. According to remarks in the meeting, the district proposed modest adjustments described on its submission as: increasing classified supplements from about 2% to 3% (the staff presentation said this would range from roughly $285 to more than $1,100 annually depending on salary) and seeking increased teacher-supplement flexibility (the district presentation referenced teacher supplements at roughly 8% as a baseline and discussed modest increases). Those figures were presented by district representatives during public comment and in written materials submitted to the board.

Several speakers urged the commissioners to consider the countywide effects of losing experienced support staff, saying it affects attendance, family confidence and school choice. “Families today have choices. And when they evaluate those choices, they're not just looking at academic programs. They are considering safety, reliability, cleanliness, and consistency,” said Nakia Hardy.

Commissioners did not take a formal vote on the Lexington City Schools’ flexibility request during the public-comment period. The item was brought to commissioners as part of the broader 2025–26 budget review; the board scheduled a budget workshop for June 5. County staff and Lexington City Schools officials said they will continue discussions about how supplement dollars can be applied in the coming budget process.

The public comments also included general praise for Lexington City Schools and repeated requests that the county consider capital needs in future budgets, but no formal county action to change supplement policy was recorded at the May 27 meeting.