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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

Two Chilton County Schools principals spoke on behalf of all principals at the Board of Education meeting on July 19 requesting an increase in principal salaries.

Clanton Intermediate Principal Louise Pitts and Clanton Elementary Principal Rebecca Threlkeld presented the request.

“As a result of the teachers and assistant principals receiving the well-deserved pay raise for the upcoming school year, we would like for you to consider the proposal the board received today,” Pitts said. “With the tremendous responsibilities within our building, including creating a safe learning environment, all Chilton County principals lead and guide our schools, while demonstrating a strong work ethic. Our duties require us to be on the job beyond the school day as we communicate with parents and students often after eight o’clock at night. As educators who are passionate about our students, it is a responsibility that we embrace, but we also feel our service and sacrifice should be compensated. Thank you.”

Threlkeld said the principals value all of the employees at their schools and “believe that all of those employees deserve to be fairly compensated.”

However, “As of right now, the beginning of this year, we will no longer be the highest paid employees in our buildings, so we would appreciate your consideration,” Threlkeld said.

Recent 4% raises for teachers at the state level have increased what every teacher is making in an effort to retain good employees.

“I personally am supportive of all employees, teachers, classified staff, administrators receiving an additional pay raise as much as we can give them,” Superintendent Jason Griffin said. “Based on the limited time I have in office, however, which is less then … 190 days, I am not supportive of making a recommendation for a long-term financial obligation at this point in the global economic climate. I feel that this a decision that needs to be made by the next superintendent, who will take office in January.”

Griffin said he would “personally encourage” the next superintendent to make looking at this a priority.

Later in the meeting, board member Brad Carter said “I hope that we can consider what the principals presented tonight in some way, shape or form … I think they are in an unfair situation.”

“My opinion is they are not the only ones being treated unfairly as far as raises go,” board member Jacqueline Sullivan said, later referencing Child Nutrition Program employees.

Griffin said these employees were included in his comments.

Sullivan also expressed concern on how the board would have funding for raises.

“I know we have found money in the past for raises when we thought we didn’t have any, so I would like to look at it,” Carter said.

The topic will likely be brought up again at a later date.