Gary Kuehn discusses teacher raises and education goals while seeking reelection

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Today, the Hamilton County Pachyderm Club welcomed longtime school board member Gary Kuehn as the guest speaker at its weekly meeting.

Kuehn has served Hamilton County Schools for more than 40 years. For the past 36 years, he has represented District 9 on the Hamilton County School Board.

Now, Kuehn is seeking reelection in the upcoming May 5 election.

During the meeting, Kuehn discussed several priorities he hopes to focus on if reelected, including expanding future ready programs for students and increasing support for teachers across the district.

Kuehn stated that one of the most important steps the board plans to take this year is improving teacher pay.

Gary Kuehn, Hamilton County School Board member seeking reelection, stated, “So, one of the things that we’ve already made public that we’re going to do this year is give them the raise they deserve, but we’re also going to try and put back in the step that they lost.”

Kuehn explained that restoring teacher steps, which are incremental pay increases based on experience, is an important part of recognizing educators for their years of service.

In addition to compensation, Kuehn said he would like to see changes in the classroom that allow teachers to focus more on instruction and less on standardized testing requirements.

He explained that reducing excessive testing could give educators more time to focus on teaching and student learning.

Kuehn emphasized that strengthening schools requires both supporting teachers and preparing students for the future.

As the May election approaches, Kuehn says he hopes voters will consider his decades of experience and continued commitment to improving education in Hamilton County.

He added that his goal moving forward is to ensure that Hamilton County Schools continue to grow while supporting both educators and students in meaningful ways.