Gov. Charles Turnbull has promised public school teachers they will see a pay increase in the near future.
Addressing a small group of members of the St. Thomas-St. John Federation of Teachers on Thursday, Turnbull said he has worked out a formula for the increase but did not disclose the terms.
The announcement came when Turnbull emerged from Government House on St. Thomas to address about two dozen members of the teachers union who had marched on the governor's office to demand to know how the administration plans to repair public schools over the summer.
"I have asked the government's chief negotiator, Karen Andrews, to meet with your representatives to negotiate some improvement in your salaries," Turnbull said, assuring public school teachers that they will see an increase in pay. And "repairs will be carried out during the summer" to improve physical conditions at the schools. Turnbull also said funds have been identified to purchase textbooks and classroom supplies.
Teachers marched on St. Thomas and St. Croix on Thursday to express their appreciation for the governor's declaration of a state of emergency in education last month, but also to ask how the administration would encourage teachers to remain in the school system. Many have served notice that they will not return to the classroom in September.
Government House said Thursday that a task force has been developed and is working on expediting repairs at several schools under the declared state of emergency in education. The government task force is chaired by Turnbull's chief of staff, Juel Molloy.
The march on Government House followed a rally at the Emancipation Garden where teachers union president Glen Smith called on the administration to detail its plan to bring about changes in education.
"What we have is a crisis in our schools right now," said Smith, who is running for senator in November. "We were pleased, excited and happy…but now we need to see a clear and specific action plan for these repairs at our schools."
National representatives of the AFT who are on island said a meeting is planned Friday with the governor, the local presidents of the union and the national AFT representatives.
"We again will implore the governor to come forward with the plan, and as we have in the past, we will offer assistance to the administration," said Nat LaCour, executive vice president of the national AFT.
