| PUBLIC EDUCATION WHEREAS, North Dakota teachers pay is the lowest in the nation; and WHEREAS; the decline in teacher salaries and benefits is eroding the pool of qualified educators for the children of North Dakota; and WHEREAS; outmigration of young people from out state includes beginning teachers who are finding they cannot pay rent, utilities and school loans on first year salaries; and WHEREAS, the Jamestown Public School District’s base salary ranks 115th in the state, and at the same time boasts being the 8th largest district in numbers; and THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the South Central Citizens Coalition will support area educators in seeking competitive teacher salaries and increasing benefits; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the South Central Citizens Coalition will support legislative action to improve efforts in attracting and maintaining quality educators; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the South Central Citizens Coalition will assist in seeking area school board members that are proactive and will support teacher issues; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the South Central Citizens Coalition will advocate and support area teachers in promoting the value of their profession in their respective communities; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in supporting educators, the South Central Citizens Coalition is, in effect, supporting the future of North Dakota and the youth of our state. |