Residents, teachers press Columbia County School Board to increase pay amid staffing shortages

Several residents and teachers used the public-comment period at a Columbia County School Board meeting to press the district for higher teacher pay and to warn that current salaries are driving experienced teachers to neighboring counties.

The speakers said the district is losing full-time teachers to higher-paying nearby districts and that classrooms are being staffed by long-term substitutes. Vicky Garrett, giving her address at the meeting, said a longtime colleague left the county for a higher salary: “We lose talented teachers not because they don't wanna be here. They just can't function. They can't live a life on what they can make here when they can just drive 45 minutes and improve their salary almost $15,000.”

The comments came as the Columbia Teachers Association and community members continue to urge the district to use state and locally mandated funds to bolster pay. David Green told the board the teacher association has requested specific allotments from state-mandated funds and local surtax distributions: “The Columbia Teachers Association with proposal 825 for the TSIA funds… $357.11 per teacher out of the mandated surtax. The county itself is asking for a 1 a half percent raise.” He added that the state had allocated money intended for certified employees, calling it “$3,000 raise” in the meeting record.

Michael Reynolds framed the shortage in supply-and-demand terms during his public comment, saying the district’s use of long-term substitutes is evidence of a local shortage: “At the last school board meeting, Columbia County had 15 long term subs and power professionals teaching in classrooms instead of teachers.” He argued that higher wages are the market solution to shortages.

Board members acknowledged the speakers and expressed appreciation for teachers and staff. School board member Giddings Stein thanked the audience for attending and for participating in literacy-week activities; board member Hudson called approval of facilities documents a “major project” and thanked staff. No board action on a districtwide salary increase was taken during the meeting; public comment closed after the allotted time and the board moved on to its agenda items.

The district did not provide a timetable, dollar amounts, or a formal response to the specific compensation requests during the meeting. Several commenters referenced external reports, including a county living-wage calculation updated Feb. 14, 2024, and described state-allocated teacher pay dollars; the board did not vote on pay changes during the session.