Tennessee’s proposed budget still contains a two-percent raise in the BEP instructional component for teachers J.C. Bowman Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee reported last Thursday.
“Our state has been
unexpectedly impacted by the Covid-19 virus (Coronavirus), an international
health crisis. We are now living in a difficult and uncertain time that has forced
statewide school closures,” announced Bowman. “It is still critical that we do
everything possible to support the needs of our students, teachers, and
schools.
“First and foremost, we applaud the Governor and the Department of Education
for seeking and receiving nutrition waivers from the Federal Government to
ensure that students will continue to be fed despite school closures. This is
critical for countless families across the state.
“Second, we support the joint effort of the Tennessee General Assembly,
Governor Bill Lee, and Commissioner Penny Schwinn to craft legislation to
suspend mandatory testing and accountability, and ensure that any lengthy
school closures will not adversely affect our students, teachers, and schools.
We have offered our input and appreciate the opportunity to have our voices
heard on this critical joint effort in uncertain times. It takes everyone working
together, something Governor Lee understands as we navigate these unchartered
times together. We offer our full support.
“Tennessee is a resilient state made up of incredible people with a generous
spirit. We are certain we will defeat COVID-19. We take the issue of COVID-19
very seriously, and we are monitoring the development daily. We will
undoubtedly have difficult days ahead.
“The Tennessee General Assembly will pass a scaled-down version of the state
budget. It is important to highlight for our educators that the proposed budget
still contains a 2% raise in the BEP instructional component for our teachers.
Should the crisis subside, we are confident this administration will revisit
and fulfill their original commitment to teacher salaries. In the meantime,
everyone across the state is tightening their belt.
“Teacher salaries are one of the only wage increases that were not cut in the
new, scaled-down budget, and we thank Governor Lee for continuing to prioritize
our educators despite the urgent need to reallocate significant resources to
prepare our state for the effects of COVID-19.
“Finally, we know the legislature will be recessing to return to their home
districts. Once they return to Nashville and resume the legislative session, we
are hopeful that we, as a state, will have weathered the worst of this
outbreak, and that the Governor’s office and legislature will revisit budget
investments for public education.
“In challenging times, there will always be those who invoke fear and distrust.
A crisis brings out the best, and the worst, in people. Abraham Lincoln echoed
the need for our citizens to pull together when he said: “We are not enemies,
but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must
not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when
again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature. Our
confidence is that we will come out of this crisis as a stronger state, and
public education will remain a cornerstone of that endeavor. We have confidence
in our future.”