Harrisburg teachers rally for pay raises

(Harrisburg) — Teachers in the Harrisburg School District say they’ve gone years without pay raises.

They’re set to rally ahead of a critical meeting tonight.

They say after years of unchanged pay, raises will make a big difference in keeping educators in the district.

But they also want more support from administrators, and better curriculum development.

Teacher Jody Barksdale is president of the Harrisburg Education Association.

She says more than 400 of her colleagues have left in recent years.

“The turnover is unrealistic and it shouldn’t be occurring this way. And it is because of all the things that we’re facing in Harrisburg. We’re the district that needs the highly-qualified teachers the most,” says Barksdale.

Barksdale says Harrisburg teachers have been working without a contract, and are waiting for a fair and reasonable offer.

She wouldn’t specify what that would look like.

“You know, we’re faced with the decision every day, can I afford to continue to work in Harrisburg School District? Many of us have weathered the storm, so to speak, and have put our priorities and our families aside to make sure that we’re here and doing the job every day.”

The district’s spokesperson didn’t return a phone call for comment.

The state put Harrisburg school district in financial recovery in 2012.

At tonight’s meeting, the district’s recovery officer will present the latest plan to improve city schools.

The meeting is set for 5:30 at district’s administration building on State Street.