Baldwin Co. Teachers Could See Pay Freeze

LOXLEY, Ala. (AP) - Baldwin County's school board expects to
vote on whether to freeze pay raises for school employees or find
other cost-cutting moves to avoid layoffs.
The board planned a special meeting at 8 a.m. Wednesday in
Loxley to vote on a pay schedule for the 2009-10 academic year.
School system spokesman Terry Wilhite says the board faces the
choice of laying off an additional 22 employees or freezing step
raises. He says the pay plan on Wednesday's agenda does not include
the annual step raises approved in most past years for employees.
Teachers union spokesman John Hudson says the freeze is unfair
to employees who will have to deal with larger classes and less
funding for materials next year.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)