Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Teacher Pay topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Teachers tell Lake County board pay and support, not new buildings, drove departures
Summary
Multiple teachers told the board they face low pay and are leaving the district; one speaker said the district lost 370 teachers last year and others described working Uber or DoorDash after full classroom days.
Several Lake County teachers used the public-comment period to press the board on compensation and supports, saying low pay contributes to turnover and forces educators into second jobs.
Alex Morrshink, who identified himself as a Lake County teacher and LCEA member, asked, “Why did we lose 370 teachers last year?” and urged the board to consider reasons and solutions that center teacher support rather than new facilities. Chris Elm, introduced by the chair as an Oak Park Middle School educator, said many teachers work second jobs and questioned why a recent wage increase would reach only about 32% of teachers. Laura Petrucelli, introduced by the chair, described working for ride-share and delivery companies after full days of teaching and said, “That should not be the reality for a veteran teacher in Lake County.”
Speakers framed their remarks as retention and equity concerns rather than formal proposals. Dr. Alan Solway spoke on behalf of literacy coach Carrie Anderson and asked why support staff who do not qualify for a classroom-teacher raise remain on the same pay scale, urging equitable treatment for those roles. On the board side, the chair reiterated a longstanding concern about state funding equity and referenced the FEFP funding formula established in 1972. No formal salary action was taken at the meeting; board members recorded votes on agenda items earlier in the session and took no vote on pay changes during public comment.
