Smyrna School District Issues New Statement as Battle for Pay Raises Continues

SMYRNA, Del. – The Smyrna School District has issued a statement following another board meeting, in which educators continued to demand a wage increase after being denied one this year and next.

In the statement signed by all five board members, the board maintained that they are committed to finding a a way to improve employees’ compensation, but highlighted the financial issues that prevent them from doing so.

“Our budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year projects over a $750,000 increase just to maintain the level of services provided last year. These costs come even after significant reductions in administrative expenses, including the elimination of several high-paying positions, such as the Director of Operations, Director of Special Services, Supervisor of Finance, and Supervisor of Curriculum as well as a decrease in the administrative multiplier,” the board wrote.

“The projected increase includes step raises, longevity bonus increases, EPER increases for staff, higher utility rates, increased insurance costs, and inflationary costs. These increases project us to be in deficit by the end of this year or next year. While we want very much to offer additional raises to our staff, it would be fiscally irresponsible to do so with non-sustainable funding,” they continued.

The step raises and longevity bonus increases were cited in the district’s last statement. Step increases were reportedly built into the pay scale in 2021, and longevity bonuses were most recently increased in 2024.

In a statement issued Thursday evening, Association President Charles Welsh argued the board’s financial issues are self-inflicted—and that educators are paying the price.

“While there is no question that the Smyrna School District is facing financial difficulties, those issues are a direct consequence of choices made by the Smyrna School Board,” Welsh said.

“The district employees that I represent are also facing financial difficulties as a direct consequence of the school board. Our teachers, paraprofessionals, custodians, and administrative assistants are among the lowest paid educators of the six surrounding districts. Our groceries, our household expenses and our healthcare costs keep rising. And their only answer is to offer us nothing for three straight years.”

“They keep saying that paying us what we’re worth is unsustainable? What’s unsustainable is balancing this school district’s budget on the backs of hundreds of dedicated educators who work day in and day out for this community.”