In these times, when higher prices force us to count our money carefully, we need to consider every investment we make. Is it wise?
We believe an investment in our local school employees is definitely a wise one.
In the December 7 election we’ll be asked to approve a 1-cent sales tax proposition for the Washington Parish School System. All of this tax --- every penny --- is earmarked for salary increases for the teachers and all other employees of the school system, with the exception of Superintendent Jennifer Thomas, who requested to be omitted from the system-wide raise. And despite a rumor, none of the sales tax will go to our school board members --- none.
It speaks very well of our teachers and their fellow school system employees that they have personally sacrificed in order to remain with the Washington Parish School System. With nearby parishes offering much higher salaries, it is a wonder that our parish school system hasn’t lost more employees.
We know of two local brothers who are both educators. They each have about the same amount of experience. The big difference is that one teaches in a parish down past Lake Pontchartrain, while the other teaches here in Washington Parish. It is embarrassing that the teacher here in Washington Parish makes approximately half as much in salary as his brother.
It’s further embarrassing that a St. Tammany Parish teacher was recently interested in moving to Washington Parish because of our more relaxed lifestyle and because she has relatives here. But when she researched salaries at the Washington Parish School System, she quickly shelved that plan. She would have taken a 40% salary cut to become a Washington Parish teacher.
But this is about more than teachers. The support personnel in our schools are also woefully underpaid. This includes all of those folks who, behind the scenes, make our schools operate efficiently. From cafeteria workers to secretaries, from janitors to maintenance workers, and so much more, these employees are long overdue for decent pay.
The 1-cent sales tax will cost us a penny per dollar when we buy groceries and other items in Washington Parish. That’s $1 per $100. This is a relatively small amount of money for each of us to devote to properly paying those dedicated employees who teach our children, coach their teams, cook their lunches, keep their classrooms clean, safely transport them to and from school, and so much more.
On December 7 let’s take this big step to push Washington Parish forward. The 1-cent tax is a fair tax that will provide a long overdue salary increase for a group of public employees who definitely deserve it.
On December 7 vote yes for the Washington Parish School System 1-cent sales tax.
