Hundreds of speakers press Clay County School Board on teacher pay as superintendent warns of voucher-driven shortfall

Hundreds of community members and school employees addressed the Clay County School Board on Nov. 6, pressing for higher teacher and support‑staff pay and criticizing recent board and superintendent compensation decisions.

The comments came during the public‑comment portion of the board’s regular meeting after several ceremonial recognitions. Speakers repeatedly said the district’s proposed compensation package left many teachers without an increase and urged the board to use any available funds to boost pay now rather than later.

"The teachers are what give your schools the A grade that everybody likes to boast about," said Nikita Copeland, a parent, during the public comment period. "They come in early. They leave late. They use a lot of their income to fund their classrooms."

Teachers and staff described longer workdays, added responsibilities for student safety and training, and rising living costs. "The district's current offer is not a raise. It is a message," said Molly Gieser, a Clay…