A state teacher organization is asking members if they’re willing to participate in a one-day statewide “sickout” or an even more prolonged walkout in protest of a $1,500 pay raise, but it wouldn't organize the actions, which are prohibited under state law.þþThe Mississippi Association of Educators posted a survey Thursday asking teachers to detail actions they’re willing to take. The questions come days after a Facebook Page called Pay Raises for Mississippi Teachers indicated an interest in organizing a potential strike.þþState law prohibits the MAE from facilitating a strike. And the survey from the group indicates the MAE is only working to get an idea of the actions teachers are willing to take. In addition to asking if educators are considering a walkout, the survey also asks if teachers are willing to take actions outside of the school day such as actively campaigning for “pro-public education candidates” or rally at the state Capitol on a Saturday.þþ“We have now used nearly every tool at our disposal to ensure educators can afford to live and work in the state to provide our kids with the best education possible,” the document states. “Now is the time to stand for a strong public education system in Mississippi. We told you we weren’t done and now we need to know: ARE YOU IN?ÿ þþTeacher Pay Raise: Organizing for Action. Are you in?þIn May 2018, MAE President Joyce Helmick told the Clarion Ledger that with an election year approaching she sensed a growing dissatisfaction from the state’s educators.þþþ“Teachers are going to demand that lawmakers be responsible and do what’s necessary to provide what we need for our public schools. I see that in the very near future, whether that means having community meetings or coming to the Capitol on a Saturday to rally.”þþThe teacher pay raise awaiting signature from Gov. Phil Bryant inches the starting pay for the state’s teachers with a bachelor’s degree toward $36,000 but trails the $4,000 increase that teacher groups lobbied for.þþMississippi teachers on average earn $44,659, according to the Mississippi Department of Education, while the average teacher in the Southeast makes just shy of $51,000.þþÿWe promised educators that, despite the frustrating end to the legislative session, we weren't done advocating for them and we weren't done advocating for Mississippi's students. Educators and the citizens of Mississippi are mad and they are calling for action,ÿ Helmick said in a statement to the Clarion Ledger.þþÿThis survey will aid us in determining the best way to channel that energy into a movement that can truly effect change and have a profound, positive impact on Mississippi's public schools.þþIt's cloudy whether there's a consensus for a strike.þþSeveral teachers, citing fear of retaliation, posted to the Pay Raise for Mississippi Teachers page that they wouldn't be willing to participate in a protest.þþPotential organizers wrote on Facebook that there was disagreement about whether to hold a strike during the administration of state tests.þþPearl High School Principal Chris Chism wrote on his profile page that he believes a better course of action is for teachers to engage in the state's upcoming elections. þþÿEvery minute you are out of a building decreases the likelihood of students passing the required tests to graduate,ÿ he wrote. ÿYou, on that particular day, could be the reason a student passes or fails. I have never, nor will I ever advocate for a strike. It's counter-productive and will further drive a wedge between teachers, representatives and the public in general.ÿþþLast year, Chism spearheaded the Blue for Mississippi Teachers campaign where in a show of solidarity for public education educators and their supporters wear blue on Fridays during legislative sessions.þþÿGet out and volunteer for your favorite candidate-Republican or Democrat. Back pro-education candidates,ÿ he wrote. ÿAs the largest voting bloc in the state, we control our own destinies.ÿ
Source: Clarion Ledger
