Smyrna educators are speaking out as frustration grows over raises

SMYRNA, Del. – Educators in the Smyrna School District are growing increasingly frustrated as they still have yet to receive a pay raise.

At a September 10 school board meeting, more than 50 members of the Smyrna Educators Association (SEA) confronted the board, signaling growing frustration over stagnant wages as the new school year begins.

A few years ago, Smyrna struck a deal with the SEA to institute modest raises over two years — but only if voters approved a funding referendum. That referendum has twice fallen flat: just 42.1 % support in 2024 and 40.5 % in the most recent vote.

At the board meeting, SEA President Chuck Welsh called on the board to re-open negotiations.

SEA’s political action chair, John McCutchan, described morale as “really low,” and “upset that the union was offered 0 percent” and “They’re doing their jobs..” He also emphasized that capital improvement funds approved by voters cannot legally be used for salaries — meaning past referendum funding successes do not translate into pay increases.

Instead of an annual raise, the district awarded a one-time $250 bonus from reserve funds.

As a form of protest, some teachers are wearing black on Fridays and holding signs reading “0 %” during school board meetings, pressing for meaningful negotiations.

Smyrna educators plan to continue to try to negotiate with the school board and still plans to try to reach out for some sort of agreement in the near future. Union members warn that if the extra effort is not matched with pay, retention and morale may worsen, risking teacher departures.

In broader context, districts statewide are grappling with failed referendums and funding constraints. Smyrna’s struggle mirrors similar challenges in neighboring districts: failed referendums have forced some districts to plan program cuts, layoffs, or increased class sizes.

For now, the referendum failures loom large: absent voter approval for added revenues, districts like Smyrna may have little flexibility to increase salaries without sacrificing elsewhere.

At this time, Smyrna School District has yet to respond or release a statement to WMDT.