PSTA response to close of session of South Carolina General Assembly

Kathy Maness, Executive Director

In the midst of a pandemic, South Carolina’s teachers are working harder than ever to honor their commitment to the children of our state. Across South Carolina, teachers are providing social and emotional support to students while developing engaging and meaningful learning experiences. Regardless of the instructional model employed by a district, teachers are meeting and exceeding their commitment to students. Unfortunately, over the past two weeks, our state’s leadership failed to meet their commitment to teachers.

When teachers sign their annual contracts, they do so with the belief that the state will honor the terms of the salary schedule. This schedule provides an annual salary increase for teachers based on years of experience during the first 23 years of service. These salary steps are not a pay raise; they represent a promise to compensate teachers based on years of experience and level of education achieved.

This past spring, teachers signed contracts believing the state would fulfill that promise by funding step increases. Shortly afterward, the state froze steps as part of the continuing resolution passed due to the economic fallout from the spread of COVID-19. At the time, state leaders noted the freeze was necessary to better evaluate the revenue impact of COVID-19 on the state. However, we know more now, and we know our state has both projected revenue growth for the coming year and a significant surplus reserve.

As a result, the Palmetto State Teachers Association is disappointed by the failure of the General Assembly to find consensus on a budget that would fund the state’s commitment to teacher step increases. While we understand the ongoing financial uncertainty associated with COVID-19, we believe our leaders could have worked together to fund step increases without hindering the state’s ability to meet any potential decline in state revenues.

This week, PSTA staff had the opportunity to meet with House leadership to make the case for step increases, and while leadership did not meet our requests, they did make a pledge to retroactively fully fund step increases through supplemental legislation when the General Assembly reconvenes in January if state revenues are stable.

PSTA expects that leadership in the General Assembly will fulfill their pledge and commitment to teachers in January. In the meantime, we will be actively encouraging our members to participate in the November elections to ensure selection of members of the next General Assembly that will be committed to fully funding public education in South Carolina.