Delaware teachers upset over pay cut included in state budget

Ever since Delaware Governor Jack Markell presented his budget, state employees have made it clear they are not happy with the eight percent pay cut he proposed as well as an increase in the cost of health insurance. Teachers in one school district have been meeting to discuss their options.

Ever since Delaware Governor Jack Markell presented his budget, state employees have made it clear they are not happy with the eight percent pay cut he proposed as well as an increase in the cost of health insurance. Teachers in one school district have been meeting to discuss their options.

Listen:
[audio: reports20090331paycut.mp3]

Amy Reed has been teaching in the Lake Forest School District for 36 years.

As a teacher, she doesn’t want to see the state’s budget crisis affect the students. But as the district’s union rep, she also doesn’t want to see it affect the teachers.

Reed: But we feel that having gone without a raise for three years and made that sacrifice during the Minner administration, we’re being asked to make too much of a sacrifice.

So after some initial meetings, teachers in Lake Forest have decided one course of action is to get in touch with state lawmakers, either through the mail or in person.