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Teachers and parents decry proposed budget changes and redeployments at Berkeley County school board meeting
Summary
Teachers, union leaders and parents criticized proposed contract language, potential teacher redeployments and district budget choices during public comment, urging the board to provide clear pay projections and to reinstate or protect programs and staff roles.
Public commenters at the Berkeley County Board of Education meeting on May 4 pressed the board to reverse or clarify proposed budget decisions they say will destabilize schools and push educators out of the district.
Kathleen “Kat” Lowe, president of the Berkeley County Education Association, told the board the contracts just released “look exactly the same and actually a little bit less,” and described the package as a “fire sale,” arguing that language on redeployment and lack of clear pay projections create instability for teachers. “When you reduce the value of teachers, you’ve reduced the value and stability of our schools,” she said.
Sarah Khalil, a BCSD parent and 15-year district employee speaking for the association, urged the board to open meaningful dialogue with staff…
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