State Lawmakers Debate on Teacher Pay Raise
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Updated: April 17, 2007
State legislators are discussing a state wide teacher pay raise. The state senate originally proposed a minimum teacher salary increase by 3.3 percent.
Director or Fayetteville School Relations, Alan Wilbourn, said, "It`s money that`s badly needed."
House leaders found the 3.3 increase too substantial and counter offered a with a 1.6 percent raise. After much debate 2.4 percent was settled on.
Third grade teacher Nancy Garner said it seems in every line of work, there are raises, so why not teaching. "I think the teachers deserve a pay raise based on the number of hours we put in. We`re not paid very much."
Locally there is another pay issue. Fayetteville schools are paid the least in Northwest Arkansas, but their students are proven to have the best scores. Garner says Fayetteville teachers can`t help but notice the pay discrepancy.
Garner said, "This year we didn`t get a raise and other school districts did. I know a number of teachers going to work elsewhere."
