To My Fellow Teachers:

I'm writing to share with you my concern about the consequences of the newly enacted state budget.
I am aware that the reductions in education funding are resulting in the layoff of teachers, especially new teachers, around the state. Here in the Franklin County Public County School System, we are losing 64, including 34 reading instructors.
As a fellow teacher, I understood the consequences if the new state budget did not include additional revenues. I also knew the lack of additional funding would greatly impact the progress we've made in education reform, and I did not want to see us roll back the enhancements of our educational systems after all of our hard work over the last 16 years. David Adkisson, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, agreed stating, "Schools are making real progress in this state. I hate to see us lose any momentum."
For this reason alone, I voted against the budget. I voted "No" on behalf of the students, teachers, and state employees of Kentucky. I voted "No" on behalf of the young adults and their educational and economic well-being.
My colleagues in the House of Representatives and I did everything we could to avert this disaster.
I voted repeatedly to support additional sources of new revenues, including an increase in the cigarette tax and sales taxes on a few luxury services. I also supported the right of the public to vote on whether to raise new revenues through expanded gaming.
Many of us took these tough votes in order to do the right thing for the children and teachers of our beloved Commonwealth. Unfortunately, the leadership in the state Senate rebuffed every effort. The layoffs we are now seeing are the direct result of the Senate's refusal to consider even a modest, narrowly crafted revenue enhancement package. The Senate's move hobbles us at a time when we most need support from the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
We in the education profession have been asked to take on the task of reaching student proficiency by the year 2014. We have worked hard and made solid progress over the last 16 years. And yet now, with the proficiency deadline approaching, the state's leaders are not providing the resources needed to reach this proficiency level.
In 2006 the General Assembly made a commitment to raise teachers' salaries to the level or surrounding states. Far from accomplishing that worthy goal, the new budget forces teachers to work longer (remember the two additional school days in the calendar) and harder with salaries that are effectively reduced, while paying more for health care costs and funding of continuing educational course work.
It's not fair. It's not right. As a teacher, I understand the hard work, dedication, and commitment you provide, especially to the children and the people of this state.
Please understand that I, like you, feel the pain of this financial disaster. I will promise you that I will do all I can in the upcoming session to make sure we do not go down this path again. Know that your concerns are also my concerns.
It's ironic that these events are unfolding during National Teacher Appreciation Week. I look forward to a time when the economy improves and we can revisit this year's unfortunate school funding levels. Rest assured, for me every day is regarded as teacher appreciation day.

Yours in Education,

Derrick W. Graham
State Representative
57th Legislative District