NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — More than 1,000 Metro Nashville Public Schools teachers are expected to be absent Thursday in a planned “sick out” protest over salary and classroom funding.
This will be the third such “sick out” in the past few weeks.
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The absences are in protest of Mayor David Briley’s proposed budget, a three-percent increase in salary.
Teachers have repeatedly pushed for a 10-percent increase to adjust for cost of living.
A march from Nissan Stadium to Public Square Park is also planned for Thursday afternoon.
MORE: Nearly 1,500 Metro Schools employees call out in protest over pay
“We’re not sick of the kids,” explained Hannah Brown, a teacher at Cole Elementary. “We’re not sick of teaching for the most part. We’re just sick of not being valued.”
Mayor Briley proposed $28 million for Metro Nashville Public Schools, far less than the more than $76 million the school board had asked for.
“We are pleading with you to make sure the number one priority when it comes to the budget is getting more money into the hands of our teachers and support staff this year,” said Mayor David Briley, during his State of Metro speech.
MORE: Metro teacher’s Facebook post standing up for educators goes viral
This is a developing story. Stay with News 2 for updates.
