State of Metro 2023

STATE OF METRO RECAP

Every spring, the Mayor of Nashville delivers the "State of Metro", where he outlines his budget priorities for the following year. This year, Mayor Cooper also included a summary of his achievements over the last four years. 

You can watch the entire speech here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxbvvB4dnj0 

Highlights:

WINS:

  • All Metro employees, except day-to-day substitutes, will receive a step raise and a 4% Cost of Living Adjustment. (New, updated salary scales will not be published until July 1st or after)

  • The city will allocate an additional $100 million for MNPS

SHORTCOMINGS:

  • *Day-to-day subs will not receive a COLA

  • Mayor Cooper stated that the minimum wage for Metro employees in every department is $18.50, but that's not true for our day-to-day subs (increasing day-to-day sub pay is not part of Dr. Battle's substitute plan)

  • At our Town Hall with Mayor Cooper, he expressed support for raising pay for day-to-day subs and instituting longevity pay

While teachers and support staff can celebrate that we are finally receiving the guaranteed step raises we deserve, we should also recognize that city and district leaders are leaving behind a group that is VITAL to the functioning of our schools. 

We applaud Dr. Battle's plan to increase permanent subs up to 3x; this is a great start. However, this still won't fully ensure all absences are covered by a substitute to provide students instruction everyday. For the highest chances of raising pay to attract more day-to-day subs, it is imperative for you to send an email to your School Board Member--urging them to raise day-to-day sub pay. This is a dignity, safety, burnout, and learning issue. Send your email here: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/budget-priorities-2023/

Metropolitan Nashville Education Association