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Union leader warns of teacher pay slide as board adopts budgets; trustees call for advocacy
Summary
Mary Crate, union president, told the Waterford board the district has slipped to the bottom of local salary comparisons and warned turnover will continue without improved pay; trustees and the superintendent urged continued advocacy and noted past concessions that helped stabilize finances.
Mary Crate, president of the teachers'union representing approximately 525 Waterford teachers, told the board that despite earlier gains the district's salary standing has fallen in comparisons with nearby districts and raised concerns about teacher retention.
"We are now in the bottom of the 11. The only district behind us now is Aendale," Crate said, arguing that being low in the pay scale will make it harder to retain and attract teachers and that the recent fund-balance improvements relied on sacrifices made by union members.
Crate said the district had restored steps and made salary progress in 2022, but presented meeting materials and salary schedules she said show a regression. She urged the board to address compensation to avoid future turnover and to protect student learning.
Board members acknowledged the union's concerns. Member Robin McGregor thanked staff for financial work that produced a healthier fund balance and highlighted the district's careful budget process, but did not promise immediate pay increases. Trustees discussed available professional development reimbursement, OCSBA and MASB training scholarships, and the importance of advocacy at the state level.
A second public commenter urged coordinated advocacy against state voucher proposals and called on unions and parent organizations to increase lobbying efforts to protect public education funding.
No formal board action on compensation was taken at the meeting. Board members said they would continue to consider budget priorities, negotiate with staff as part of ongoing contract talks and monitor state-level developments that could affect district funding.
The union's claims and accompanying salary materials were presented to the board during public comment but did not result in immediate policy change; any change to salaries would require separate negotiations or board action.
