Teachers urge Parkway board to address morale, pay and benefits during public comment
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Summary
Three Parkway teachers and a retired educator told the board Dec. 10 that morale has fallen, citing pay that doesn—t keep pace with inflation, higher insurance deductibles and reduced planning time; they asked for salary schedules that track inflation, more plan time and better two-way communication.
Three educators used the board—s public-comment period to press Parkway leaders on teacher morale and compensation.
Tina Miller, a Parkway parent and recently retired teacher, urged the board to put educators "at the forefront in all decision making," calling teachers "first responders" in schools and asking that staff be engaged before initiatives are launched. Rachel Song, a Parkway South High teacher, said morale changed "dramatically" in 2023, that she voted no on the NEA contract she was shown, and she asked the board for a salary schedule that keeps pace with inflation, more plan time at all levels, and clearer district communication so teachers can influence decisions. Amy Hubbard, a social-studies teacher at Parkway South, offered concrete examples of how inflation and rising insurance deductibles have eroded the real value of raises: she described a step increase of $500 that would be outpaced by new payroll deductions totaling about $1,200 per year and recounted a personal deductible increase of $1,600.
Board members thanked the speakers for civil and constructive testimony and said they appreciated hearing staff perspectives. Several members noted they were listening and that items such as negotiations, student advisory input and PD planning are ongoing; one member said the board does not generally respond during the meeting but will reply in writing.