Voice of Reason: It’s time to fund education properly
The following is an open letter to all Warren County Commissioners:
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have a problem. No, it’s not the jail or the ownership of the parking area around the courthouse. It’s much more serious than that. Our problem is education, or more precisely the lack of importance we attach to it here in Warren County.
As this newspaper’s education reporter for almost three years, I’ve had the opportunity to really get inside our school system, from the classrooms to the central office. If there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that despite their lack of support of education, the lawmakers and taxpayers of Warren County are getting a tremendous bang for their collective buck.
For the most part, this county’s educators give all they have to ensure Warren County’s children receive the quality education they deserve, an education they will need if they are to become productive citizens of this community. This is an awesome responsibility.
Of the many educators I’ve talked to in my time on the education beat, most tell me their decisions to teach could more accurately be described as callings. As a result of our society’s mixed up priorities, they know that no matter how long they teach, they’re never going to get rich, yet they do it anyway, because it’s their calling.
Lawmakers, of course, know this. From those of you at the local level, to the legislators in Nashville, to our representatives in Congress, you all know, as we all do, that they will continue to teach no matter what they’re paid, and you take advantage of the fact by paying them as little as you can.
Oh sure, you talk a good game, about how teachers deserve so much more, that it’s a shame they make as little as they do seeing as they’re responsible for educating our future leaders, workers and citizens. But that’s all it seems to be: talk, lip service. After all, who’s going to say they’re against education?
But the time has now come here in Warren County when you must put up or shut up. In the past year, and as recently as last Sunday, I’ve written about four local teachers who’ve left the county in search of greener pastures. And these are just the tip of the iceberg, with some going to Georgia, and many others going just across county lines. The reason? Money.
As I’ve said, teachers aren’t expecting to get rich, but they do like to eat occasionally, and maybe own a house. If we want to retain quality teachers and attract new ones to this county, we must commit to making education our county’s number one priority. (By priority I mean you, Warren County Commissioners, must seriously fund it. You get what you pay for, after all.)
I realize past wrongs cannot be righted overnight. Bringing teacher salaries up to, say, the Southeast average of $37,010 would take several years. (On a side note, I would like to point out the average Warren County teacher does not, in fact, make $37,093, as was reported by the state recently. This figure also includes the salaries of higher paid school administrators and some central office staff.)
A more realistic, short-range goal would be to just provide health insurance to our teachers, insurance that has increased drastically over the past few years and which now costs teachers with family plans over $4,500 a year.
As our elected representatives, you are responsible for ensuring Warren County’s future. Undoubtedly, such a move to improve education funding in the form of salary increases and health insurance, would require a tax increase. While not popular with a public that also claims to support education but balks at paying for it, it’s a move you must make.
Remember, you were elected to lead us, not follow us, and it is leadership that is called for right now. Do what’s needed and make education a priority for Warren County.
(Will Stewart is a reporter for the Standard. He can be reached at 473-2191 or by e-mail at [email protected].)