LOUISVILLE, Ky. — School administrators in the Commonwealth have said the proposed state budget will worsen the state's teacher shortage.

Covering the state's operating budget, House Bill 6 proposes to increase SEEK by 6% over two years, which is the primary source of money districts use to run their schools. However, superintendents have said the budget is not giving districts enough to pay teachers a competitive salary.

"This first draft of the bill that's been put forward, if you look at it, is falling far short of what we need as administrators to not only recruit but also to retain the current hardworking teachers that we have," said Sally Sugg, Shelby County Schools superintendent. 

Superintendents called the teacher shortage a crisis, especially for math and science teachers because they are taking higher-paying jobs elsewhere.

"Our starting salary in Hardin County is $41,000, and that is with a four-year education," said Terrie Morgan, Hardin County Public Schools superintendent. "When we compare that to the states around us, we realize we are just not keeping pace." 

To fill the shortage, districts such as Hardin and Shelby are hiring people without four-year degrees. This has affected reading and math scores, superintendents said. 

"We're asking them to continually work really hard on reading and math, improving those literacy and mathematical skills," Sugg said. "Many times, what we find is the teacher in the seat in the classroom does not have a four-year degree in education."

The budget's lack of funding means districts make up for it in local taxes.

"Our local school boards have to levy higher taxes to bring in more revenue," Sugg said. "Basically, it's coming out of the people's pocket instead of coming out of the state coffers."

The Kentucky Association of School Administrators surveyed 93 school districts to see how HB 6 would affect teacher salaries. Nearly all respondents said the budget would not let their district attract and keep teachers.