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Hamilton County Educators Urge Commissioners to Fund Pay Steps and Raises; Ask for Quarterly Budget Talks
Summary
Representatives of Hamilton County educators asked commissioners to prioritize step increases and base-salary raises for school employees, and requested quarterly coordination between the commission and the school board during budget season.
Leaders representing Hamilton County educators asked the commission to prioritize staff step increases and raises in the school system budget and requested quarterly meetings between the school board and county commission to coordinate funding.
Jeanette O'Markell, identifying herself as president of the Hamilton County Educators Association, told commissioners that collaborative conferencing secured a superintendent commitment to spend any additional funds in an agreed order of priorities. O'Markell said the union's top priorities are step increases and a base-salary raise after a one-time bonus for employees excluded from a state bonus.
"I'm asking you to explore all revenue and options to fund those first two items," O'Markell said, and she asked commissioners to consider out‑of‑the‑box revenue options. She also asked the commission to meet quarterly with the school board, noting the school budget is the single largest part of the county's budget and urging closer coordination.
O'Markell described rising costs for materials, transportation and insurance as drivers of higher school-system expenditures even when student enrollment is stable, and asked commissioners to consider how to protect educators’ long‑term compensation rather than relying solely on one‑time payments.
