Recently, legislators submitted recommendations on teacher raises to our State Legislature’s Education Committees. The committees will meet October 3rd and 4th to discuss proposals and decide what kind—or if any—raises will be recommended for the upcoming legislative session in January.

Here’s what you can do: Join our sit-in at the upcoming committee meeting on Monday, October 3rd at 1:30 pm. We will WEAR RED in support of pay raises for educators around the state. Let’s pack the committee room so legislators cannot ignore us! If you wish to join the committee meeting sit-in, please email Gwen Faulkenberry at gfaulkenberry@hotmail.com. 

You can also email members of the Education Committee and ask them, “What recommendations are you presenting to education committee chairs based on the adequacy study and what you know about Arkansas teacher salaries?” (If your personal legislators are on the education committee, please let them know you are their constituent. Remember to keep the email short, professional, and polite.) We’ve provided sample wording for you below. Committee members’ names and emails are also below.

See you on October 3rd!

Sample Wording:

I am a ____ year educator and parent of a child(ren) who is/was educated in (city). I understand that the Senate and House Education Committees will discuss teacher pay raises at the October meeting. What recommendations are you planning on presenting based on what you’ve seen from the adequacy study and what you know about Arkansas teacher salaries?

Here’s the email list of the Education Committee Members. Encourage colleagues to contact their legislators and the committee members:

Senate Chair Sen. Missy IrvinMissy.Irvin@senate.ar.gov
Senate Vice Chair Sen. Joyce ElliottJoyce.Elliott@senate.ar.gov
Senator Charles Beckhamcharles.beckham@senate.ar.gov
Senator Linda Chesterfieldlchesterfield@gmail.com
Senator Jane Englishjane.english@senate.ar.gov
Senator Colby Fulfercolby.fulfer@senate.ar.gov
Senator Greg Ledinggreg.leding@senate.ar.gov
Senator James Sturchjames.sturch@senate.ar.gov
House Chair Rep. Bruce Cozartbccci@cablelynx.com
House Vice Chair Rep. Brian Evansbrian.evans@arkansashouse.org
Rep. Rick Beckrick.beck@arkansashouse.org
Rep Ken Braggkenwbragg@gmail.com
Rep Karilyn Brownkarilyn.brown@arkansashouse.org
Rep Gary DeffenbaughGary.Deffenbaugh@arkansashouse.org
Rep Charlene Fitecharlene.fite@arkansashouse.org
Rep Megan Godfreymegan.godfrey@arkansashouse.org
Rep Steve Hollowellsteve.hollowell@arkansashouse.org
Rep Lee Johnsonlee.johnson@arkansashouse.org
Rep Fredrick Lovefjlove@att.net
Rep Mark Lowerymarkdlowery@mac.com
Rep John Maddoxjohn.maddox@arkansashouse.org
Rep Gayla McKenziegayla.mckenzie@arkansashouse.org
Rep Stephen MeeksStephen.Meeks@arkansashouse.org
Rep Reginald Murdockrkm_72360@yahoo.com
Rep Stu Smithstu22200@yahoo.com
Rep Nelda Speaksnelda.speaks@arkansashouse.org
Rep Deann Vaughtdeann.vaught@arkansashouse.org
Rep Richard Womackrichard@richardwomack.com

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