Here's the deal. The National Edcuation Association says the average salary for Kentucky teachers is about $40,500. That's $4,500 less than the average salaries of teachers in the seven states surrounding Kentucky. Governor Fletcher has already talked about getting teacher pay up to the surrounding states and now the Democratic leaders in the House are saying the same thing. Their plan would increase spending on teacher salaries by more than $400 million dollars over the next four years. Few people will argue with that plan. Kentucky's public school teachers are overworked, underappreciated and underpaid.

But when talking to some of Kentucky teachers, they say they'd gladly give up the pay raise if the money would be used on reducing class sizes. That would require construction of more new schools and hiring hundreds more teachers. It wouldn't be cheap. But the teachers I talk to believe that's the quickest way to improve education in Kentucky. More one-on-one instruction. More time with students who are struggling.

And it makes sense to this parent. Here's why. My 10-year-old son attends a Jefferson County Public School.
There are 30 students and one teacher in his fourth grade class. My son is bright. He's a self starter and he gets plenty of support at home. But you'll never convince me that the kids in his class who aren't as gifted or lucky are getting the attention they need and deserve from a single teacher in a class of 30. She could be Superwoman and be doing well just to get through the day's lessons and homework grading.

And there are many other needs facing Kentucky schools that we must face and deal with....NOW! Kentucky's 175 day school year is one of the shortest in the country and nowhere close to the 200+ day school years in Japan and China. Our school computers are old and many teachers don't or won't integrate technology into their daily lessons. Twenty five percent of Kentucky's school districts don't offer any all-day kindergarten classes.

In other words, our public education system is falling behind. I know what you teachers are saying: "This guy wants us to give up our shot at our first big pay raise in years so there's money for all of these other programs".
Not true. I'm saying Kentucky lawmakers and Governor Fletcher need to find the courage to raise teachers salaries AND agree on a 5 year plan for financing smaller class sizes, new technology, lengthening the school year and doing other improvements that aren't mentioned here. Put it in writing. So five years from now taxpayers can look back and say "They really were serious about improving education" or "Those legislators and that Governor didn't keep the campaign promises they made to Kentucky's children." It's not too much to ask.