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Educators urge Lake County School Board to extend state pay increases to all staff
Summary
At a July 7 workshop, multiple Lake County educators asked the school board to use district funds or appeal to the state so that every educator—classroom teachers, VPK instructors, coaches and specialists—benefits from this year's pay allocations.
Hundreds of educators and school staff urged the Lake County School Board on July 7 to ensure state-allocated pay increases reach all district employees, not only those whose job codes qualified under Senate Bill 1296.
Tamara Russell, speaking for the Lake County Education Association executive board, congratulated the superintendent on an announced retirement and asked the board to "extend that same principle" of the district slogan "all means all" to educators. "We're not here asking you to take something away from anyone. We're asking you not to leave anyone behind," Russell said, asking the board to explore the district's general fund to compensate every member of the bargaining unit.
Other public commenters described similar concerns. A teacher who identified himself as David Dustin said inflation has eroded effective pay, and he fears losing experienced colleagues if compensation does not keep pace. "I've trimmed my budget every year because my effective pay, even though it may go up a little bit, actually goes down because of the rate of inflation," Dustin said.
Several speakers highlighted how state job codes determine eligibility for the Teacher Salary Increase Allocation (TSIA). Sharon McDonald, a VPK teacher with decades of experience, noted that Lake County staffs VPK with certified educators but that VPK teachers were excluded from the state's TSIA eligibility. "Lake County has chosen to hold its VPK program to a higher standard by employing certified educators, and I believe that commitment should be reflected in how VPK teachers are treated," McDonald said.
Amy Horn read a letter from Caitlin Rumburg, a VPK teacher, who wrote that she holds the same degree and certification as K–12 colleagues yet is excluded from the TSIA because of her job code. "My paycheck says I'm different, but my classroom does not," the letter said.
Board members acknowledged the concerns and the limitations of state guidance while pointing to a local response: the chair reminded attendees that the Lake County School Board, working with community leaders, will put a measure on the November ballot that addresses teacher pay. Several board members also expressed support for considering district general-fund options or appeals to the state for flexibility.
The public comments closed with an explicit request that the board not let statutory or coding technicalities determine which educators are valued; speakers urged local solutions, transparency and participation in any outreach to the state.
The board did not adopt any immediate, formal pay action during the workshop; members said staff would continue working on options and outreach, including a ballot measure in November.
