Nashville teachers, protesters at City Hall to demand higher pay
Nashville teachers and their supporters marched to Public Square Park Thursday afternoon to bring attention to funding and pay shortages ahead of a Metro Council hearing to discuss the Metro Public Nashville Schools budget.
Hundreds of teachers and others wearing red and holding signs made their way from the pedestrian bridge at Cumberland Park to city hall, demanding the Metro Council deliver on the school board's request for a $76.6 million budget increase.
The request would fund 10% raises for Metro teachers and staff but has been called "aspirational" by Mayor David Briley, who said he wants to engage in a long-term discussion to improve district pay.
Instead, he's proposed a $28.2 million increase in the district's budget, which leaves room for a 3% raise and would bring the district's operating budget to $915 million in the 2019-20 school year.
Read more: https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2019/05/16/nashville-teachers-absent-again-part-mnps-sick-out/3691484002/