Director of Sullivan County Schools asks for 6 million more for teacher raises

At Wednesday’s Sullivan County Budget Committee meeting, the director of schools asked county commissioners for money to raise teacher salaries. If approved, that could result in an increase in taxes. Sullivan County Schools asked for over 6 million in funding to raise teacher salaries. This is on top of the school system’s budget for the next school year. Director of Schools Chuck Carter said the school system wants to get ahead of the governor’s mandate to increase teacher salaries to $50,000 by 2026. Carter asked the budget committee for a 15% increase. The district lost 17 teachers in 2023 to other area school districts. Commissioners decided to take more time to review the information and committee members will be presenting it to the full county commission in Thursday evening’s meeting. The next meeting with the school district is scheduled for May 29.