Saying he is going to fight for his teachers, Director of Schools Patrick Cripps asked the county budget committee for a $3,000 raise for DeKalb County teachers in hopes of retaining quality instructors that are being lured away by higher paying counties. “We can’t compete with Wilson and Putnam,” Cripps flatly admitted as he addressed County Mayor Tim Stribling and the budget committee, noting that starting pay in DeKalb County for teachers is right at the state minimum. “I know it’s a huge amount to ask for but to get the best people in here we’re going to have to start paying them better.”