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Food service manager tells school board workers can’t live on current wages
Summary
Callie Pope, a Waccamaw Intermediate School food service manager, told the Georgetown County School District board that starting pay for district food service workers is about $16,493 after a 9% retirement deduction and urged the board to provide fairer pay and stability so staff can continue serving students.
Callie Pope, food service manager at Waccamaw Intermediate School, told the Georgetown County School District board that cafeteria staff are struggling to make ends meet and urged the board to raise pay and benefits.
"Take 9% retirement off of the top of that, and starting salary is just $15,009 per year," Pope said, adding that many employees commute 30 to 80 miles and often work second jobs. "I'm asking for fair pay for hard, honest work. I'm asking for stability for the people who help keep your schools running every day."
Pope said district cafeterias have been short-staffed for months and that low wages cause applicants to decline or not show up for interviews. "When people leave this job, and they do, it's not because they don't care, it's because they can't afford to stay," she said.
Chairman Moore acknowledged the comments, asked food service staff to stand so the board could see them and said the administration would "take a look at this right here and do the best that we can, within our power." Dr. Gause, the superintendent, also thanked staff and said the administration recognizes the roles cafeteria employees play in students' daily lives.
The public comment was part of the meeting's three-minute public comment period. The board did not make an immediate funding commitment during the meeting; staff said budget discussions and follow-up would continue as the administration prepares the first draft of the 2026–27 budget.
