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About 150 teachers rallied outside Monday’s board meeting. Wichita teachers have gone four years without a raise.
“We love these kids and this community,” says teacher Casey Christofferson who was rallying outside.
Several others addressed board members to explain the impact it’s had on their personal budgets.
“That temporary salary freeze has become a permanent crunch in my household budget,” Erin Dresher told the board.
“Four year’s is enough...step up we want a fair contract the future is riding on it,” says Erica Penrose.
The district and union that represents teachers are currently in contract talks with a federal mediator. Both sides have agreed not to discuss the talks until an agreement is reached.
Teachers are asking for a raise and back-pay for additional education and experience.
There may be a chance. The district has already reached a tentative agreement with their school service employees who will receive a 3.5% raise if approved.
And for the first time in several years the district will not have to make cuts. Instead it will receive some additional money. State aid will increase by $58 per student. That’s about $4 million for the district.
Superintendent John Allison tells Eyewitness News he’s confident a deal can be reached. He hopes to have a deal in place before the budget is presented to the board at the end of the month.