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Union president urges board not to freeze teacher pay steps, warns of staff losses
Summary
Rusty Rogers, a teacher and union president, told the board a proposed step freeze could push teachers below poverty guidelines, worsen morale and lead to staff departures, and urged trustees to consider teachers’ needs before entering closed‑door contract negotiations.
During public comment on Aug. 5, Rusty Rogers — a Madison District teacher, district alumnus and local union president — urged the board not to approve a step freeze for currently employed teachers and warned that freezing step increases could lead to teacher attrition and harm student programs.
Rogers said the district’s salary schedule is among the lowest in Oakland County and noted many teachers supplement income with second jobs. “Our lowest step is $34,000,” she said, arguing that a step freeze, paired with rising health‑insurance costs and a forthcoming federal poverty‑guideline update in January 2025, could push many teachers into severe financial hardship and prompt them to leave the district. She also said prior poor financial decisions and alleged fraud contributed to current fiscal stress and asked trustees to weigh teacher welfare when they go into closed session to discuss contract negotiations.
Trustees did not take action on the contract during public comment; the board later moved into a closed session to discuss negotiations. The superintendent and board have indicated they will consider the remarks in forthcoming closed‑door contract discussions and collective bargaining work.
