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Senate advances $21.6 million plan to raise certified teachers’ pay by $1,000 on salary schedule
Summary
Senators moved to lift rules and consider SB277, a proposal to appropriate about $21.6 million to add $1,000 to the certified teacher salary schedule; debate focused on timing, treatment of classified employees and pension/retirement costs.
Senator Barlow moved to lift rules and place Senate Bill 277 on the calendar for consideration; the bill would appropriate approximately $21,622,000 to provide a $1,000 increase on the certified teacher salary schedule. Sponsors explained the amount represents roughly $1,274 per weighted pupil unit to fund the net $1,000 schedule raise and that the increase would also cover Social Security and retirement contributions tied to the raise.
Opponents urged caution on timing and called for the Appropriations Committee to vet classified employees’ equity and the effect on senior teachers; several senators said the matter should be handled as part of the full school finance process. Supporters argued the measure is a necessary and timely message to educators and that a portion of the broader public-employee increase would still be addressed in later appropriations work.
After floor discussion, senators voted to lift rules and place the bill on the second-reading calendar; the motion was carried and the item was circled for further consideration.
