FAYETTEVILLE, Ga., Jan. 6 (UPI) -- The school board in one Georgia county has asked teachers to give up the raise they received last year, saying the voluntary action could close a budget gap.
Because the teachers in Fayette County are not represented by a union, the decision is up to each one, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Teachers in a Maryland district returned their raise last year, with their union holding a vote.
Fayette County raised pay for its 1,800 teachers by 2.5 percent last spring. Since then, the suburban Atlanta district, with 24,000 students, has been hit hard by lost property tax revenues and cuts in state aid.
The pay hike costs the district about $4 million. Board members said the money could be used to avoid cuts in programs.
They decided Monday night to send teachers letters asking them to "make a donation" to the district.
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained," said Dr. Bob Todd, a member of the board.
