Ex Parte Etowah County Bd. of Educ.

The issue in this case is whether a 7.5% pay increase for public education support workers should be based upon the workers' base salary or upon the workers' base salary and local supplements and bonuses. Resolution of the issue requires us to determine the intent of the legislature when it adopted Act. No. 88-691, Alabama Acts 1988, which provided for the 7.5% pay raise.

Christine Smith had been employed by the Etowah County Board of Education (hereinafter referred as the "school board") for 25 years, 3 years as a lunchroom worker and 22 years as a lunchroom manager.

On February 2, 1988, the…