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Utah House authorizes automatic annual salary adjustment for Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind teachers
Summary
The House unanimously passed House Bill 82 to tie annual salary adjustments for Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind (USDB) teachers to the statewide average teacher salary change, aiming to reduce retention gaps that can reach about $8,000. The bill passed 67-0 and moves to the Senate.
Representative David L. Gladwell told the House that House Bill 82 would apply an annual adjustment to the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind salary schedule equal to the average adjustment for teachers in the state’s 40 public school districts, to be determined each Dec. 1 by the State Office of Education and applied the following July 1.
Gladwell said USDB teachers do not receive weighted pupil unit funding or local tax revenues, and that compensation falls behind district teachers after a few years on the job. He said the disparity can reach about $8,000 for experienced teachers, contributing to turnover and difficulty retaining specially trained staff who typically teach the same students for two to three years.
Representatives Westmeyer, Nora Stevens and Larson spoke in support, noting the school’s unique funding constraints and the importance of retaining specialized teachers. Gladwell said the State Board of Education, education associations and a legislative coalition for persons with disabilities support the measure.
The House closed debate and recorded a roll-call vote: House Bill 82 received 67 yes votes and 0 no votes. The bill passed the House and will be forwarded to the Senate for consideration.
The next procedural step is Senate consideration; the House record shows committee review and unanimous committee support before floor debate.
