Floyd County, Kentucky, October 3, 2025
News Summary
In Kentucky, music teacher Greta Gilbert struggles with low pay and high classroom expenses after 20 years in education. Despite her dedication, financial difficulties are exacerbated by the state’s stagnant teacher salary crisis. Gilbert advocates for better pay while utilizing her personal funds for classroom improvements. As across Kentucky, teachers face inadequate funding and support, prompting calls for increased budget allocations to improve salaries and working conditions.
Floyd County, Kentucky—Amid ongoing economic challenges in Kentucky’s education system, Greta Gilbert, a music teacher at Adams Middle School, is struggling with low pay and classroom expenses after 20 years of service. Despite her dedication to teaching, Gilbert faces financial difficulties exacerbated by the state’s teacher salary crisis, with many educators experiencing stagnant wages and a lack of funding for necessary supplies.
As the new school year approached, Gilbert devoted the end of her summer to preparing her classroom, using earnings from various side jobs, including roles as a technology coordinator, academic coach, and music director. The upgrades she made to her classroom included an electric neon treble clef, a repaired saxophone, new music stands, and a wireless microphone to accommodate her 40-student classes. However, she had to finance these improvements out of her own pocket, reflecting a broader issue faced by teachers in Kentucky’s 40 school districts that offered no salary increases this year.
Gilbert’s desire to honor the teaching legacy of her mother and grandmother, who also served in the same district, motivates her advocacy for better pay for school staff. She supports state initiatives aimed at raising salaries for educators, as proposed multiple times by Governor Andy Beshear. Despite the governor’s promises for a $2,000 salary raise during his 2019 gubernatorial campaign and an 11% pay increase for late 2023, the Republican-controlled legislature has consistently rejected these proposals.
A recent report from the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) reveals inconsistent teacher raises across the state, with many increases failing to keep pace with inflation, which stood at 2.9% for 2023. Out of Kentucky’s 171 school districts, 55 provided raises smaller than 2%, while 42 districts granted raises between 2.01% and 3%, and only 34 districts offered increases over 3%. Teacher advocates are calling for increased state funding to address these disparities and enhance teacher salaries.
Maddie Shepard, president of the Jefferson County Teachers Association, pointed to the recent rejection of Constitutional Amendment 2 as an indication of community support for public schools. Shepard and fellow educators are requesting a $718 million increase in the Kentucky education budget for the upcoming year to address growing inflationary pressures concerning teacher salaries and essential equipment.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Jason Bailey of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy commented that substantial budget increases for educators have been absent since 2008. Lawmakers, including Rep. Lisa Willner, emphasize the necessity for adequate funding to resolve financial strains on schools. The disparity in funding raises concerns, particularly as the state appears more willing to offer tax breaks to certain industries than to support struggling schools.
Gilbert noted that if she transferred to a school district in Fayette County, she could potentially earn $20,000 more annually. The current economic pressures compound her need to work multiple jobs to cover personal expenses. The increasing burden and insufficient support for educators prompt Gilbert to express her growing despair regarding the state’s lack of investment in educational staff and resources.
Recent statistics indicate that 10.9% of teachers in Kentucky did not return to their positions following the 2022 school year, primarily due to inadequate funding and poor working conditions. Despite the autonomy given to local school boards in educational control, challenges persist, with property tax hikes further complicating efforts to provide raises and support for educators.
FAQ Section
What challenges are teachers in Kentucky currently facing?
Teachers in Kentucky are facing financial difficulties due to low salaries, high classroom expenses, and inconsistent pay raises that often do not keep up with inflation.
How has Governor Andy Beshear addressed teacher salaries?
Governor Beshear has proposed salary raises for educators multiple times, including a promise for a $2,000 raise during his 2019 campaign and a suggested 11% raise for late 2023. However, these proposals have been rejected by the state legislature.
What is the current state of teacher retention in Kentucky?
Recent reports indicate that 10.9% of teachers did not return after the 2022 school year, reflecting dissatisfaction with pay and working conditions.
Summary Chart of Key Information
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Teacher Experience | 20 years at Adams Middle School |
| Classroom Expenses | Personal funds used for classroom upgrades |
| Proposed Salary Raises | Previously proposed $2,000 and 11% raises |
| Budget Increase Request | $718 million for the next year |
| Teacher Retention Rate | 10.9% did not return after 2022 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Fayette County Public Schools Faces $16 Million Budget Shortfall
Kentucky’s Economic Growth Driven by Education Investment
Lexington School District Under Financial Scrutiny
FCPS Grapples with $16 Million Budget Deficit
Rethinking the Value of Bachelor’s Degrees Amid Job Market Shift
Fayette County Schools Propose Significant Budget Cuts
Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: Teacher Pay Crisis in Kentucky
- WSBTV: Floyd County BOE Approves Teacher Pay Raises
- Northwest Georgia News: Floyd County School Board Considering Pay Bumps
- Kentucky.com: Education Funding Issues in Kentucky
- Coosa Valley News: Floyd County Schools Approve Pay Raise for Educators
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