More than 70 teachers, and in some cases their family members, attended the Atlantic Board of Education meeting Wednesday night, to present their concerns and frustration with what they understood would be a zero percent increase in their pay raise and supplemental pay, in light of declining enrollment and questions over State Supplemental Support, which is still being debated in the legislature.

Some of the more than 70 estimated teachers and families who attended the Atlantic School Board meeting. (Ric Hanson/photo)

The first to speak was Lisa Krogman, Title 1 Reading Teacher at Washington Elementary School, who’s been an educator for 27-years. Krogman said teachers take on many different roles inside and outside of the classroom, and in many cases spend their own money for supplies. She said those efforts are paying off in the form of Iowa Assessments and other criteria.

She said they feel like they are worth “More than zero,” on their pay increase and Supplemental pay. “We are disappointed that you [The Board] doesn’t feel the same way, that you maybe don’t feel that we’re valued, because we work really really hard.”
Carolyn Hunt, Elementary Behavioral Interventionist, said “We are discouraged, and quite frankly insulted, to hear about the opening proposed lane freeze one-time payment and zero raise in supplemental pay.”

She said it seems like a “Slap in the face for the services that we all provide.” She said the staff questioned “Why do we need to save money in this way, what are other alternatives to saving the district money, or are we just the easiest cut?” Liz Reid, Middle School Special Ed Teacher, a sixth-year teacher in the district, said her  concerns with a possible zero-percent raise, lies with the rate the district is losing coaches, sponsors and teachers.

“We need to be a district that attracts good coaches, not one that pushes them away. We currently have a large and growing coaching shortage in our district. We need to be asking ourselves ‘are activities a priority?’ Do we want good coaches? If so, how should we prioritize funds to show coaches and sponsors that they are needed and valued?”

Last year, she said, “Our coaches received a whopping $40 raise. Is it any wonder why our coaches are resigning?” The district has eight teachers who are leaving at the end of the current school year, and seven coaching positions that now need to be filled. School Board member Jenny Williams strongly encouraged teachers and their families to take the passion they have for their pay, and storm the Iowa Legislature to voice their outrage and concerns.

Williams said the Board has “No intention of not giving the raises…that is not how it’s going to end up. But when it comes down to it, we are only getting so much money, and we need to be at the capital and saying these things. She said they should “demand more pay” from the State. “It ends with us,” she said, “It doesn’t start with us. We are not bad people. We think you’re amazing.”

The simple fact, she said is that “We’re dying. We’re down 32 students this year. I don’t know what we can do to change that.” Board President Ally Bruckner said nothing had been decided with regard to a raise in the base salary and step schedule, contrary to rumors, and that some of the issues raised by the teachers are covered in the handbook, and cannot be included in negotiations with the Teacher’s Union.

Bruckner said also, that by law, that while negotiations are underway, the Board cannot openly speak with regard to what has been discussed during those sessions. She encouraged the teachers to talk to their union representatives, “Because they’re your voice at the negotiations table.”