DeKalb teachers protest superintendent's raise

By Megan Matteucci

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Several thousand DeKalb County school employees dressed in black Thursday to protest the superintendent’s $15,000 raise.

“Many, many schools had over 95 percent of employees in black,” said David Schutten, president of the Organization of DeKalb Educators.

On Monday, the school board voted to raise Superintendent Crawford Lewis’ pay from $240,000 to $255,000. The board also extended his contract until January 2013.

Teachers and school employees have complained that Lewis' raise comes after the board slashed their pay increases and implemented a one-day furlough. Lewis’ new salary will remain in effect until the end of his contract. Lewis has declined to comment on the raise.

The DeKalb Educators group is scheduled to protest at Monday’s school board meeting. The group is also holding an organizing meeting Saturday at 2 p.m. at Oakhurst Presbyterian Church.