Teachers push for raises; District takes hard stance

Holmes County School District is experiencing a decline in student enrollment for the 2024-2025 academic year, accompanied by a teacher exodus to neighboring counties offering higher salaries. 36 teachers and 3 paraprofessionals have resigned from Holmes County within the last year. In response, the Holmes District School Board has submitted what it describes as its final contract proposal to the Holmes County Teachers Association (HCTA) on Monday, October 14. 

According to the district’s proposal, teachers who have been employed since or before 2011—referred to as “grandfathered” employees—will receive a raise of $653. However, this falls short of the HCTA’s original request for a $1,100 increase for these veteran educators. Teachers rated as “highly effective” under the district’s performance evaluation system will receive a $750 raise, compared to the $1,250 proposed by the HCTA.

In addition, new teachers hired by the district will receive an $800 raise, which has generated concern among veteran teachers, many of whom feel that the offer undervalues their years of service. For the 2023-2024 school year, the base salary for teachers in the district was set at $43,468. The proposed increase would bring the base salary to $44,268 for the 2024-2025 school year—an $800 annual increase.

The next scheduled bargaining session between the school board and the teachers’ association is set for November 6 at 3:30 p.m. at the Holmes District School Board Office.

The Holmes County Advertiser continues to gather details and will provide further updates as new information becomes available.