Jetton bill would raise teachers' starting pay

Teachers could see a significant salary boost if a plan by House Speaker Rod Jetton, R-Marble Hill, is passed.

The plan, not yet introduced, calls for raising the minimum salary of first-year teachers from $23,000 to $31,000. Pay would increase with experience.

Teachers in 12 districts in Southeast Missouri would benefit from the change, including Zalma, where beginning teachers earn $25,000 currently. Jackson is the only district already paying beginning teachers the minimum under Jetton's proposal.

Funding would come from the state's general revenue, at an estimated cost of $60 million, according to Mike Wood, a lobbyist for the Missouri State Teachers Association, which started a campaign this fall for the salary increases.

Wood said the funding of the pay increases would not fall back on the districts. "If the state is going to mandate these salaries the state is going to pay for them," he said.

While area administrators embraced the intent of the plan, some expressed reservations about its implementation and sustainability.

"It's a very noble goal, but I have not seen any plans in work that will make it practical," said Rob Huff, superintendent of the Meadow Heights School District. "Historically the state hasn't and still doesn't pay 100 percent of what it says schools should get."

Huff said he would prefer to see the foundation formula, the state's funding mechanism for schools, fully funded first, so districts would have the option of where to direct money.

Kevin Dunn, superintendent of the Perryville School District, said he thinks the proposal could attract higher-quality people to the education field who might otherwise choose a more lucrative profession.

A study by the Editorial Projects in Education Research Center found Missouri teachers are paid less than professionals in comparable occupations, such as accounting or nursing. Only North Carolina has less parity than Missouri, according to a study released last week by the not-for-profit research organization.

The National Education Association ranks Missouri 42nd in average teacher pay.

Jetton's plan could face some resistance from schools that already pay the minimum proposed salary and say the proposal only helps rural areas.

Wood disputed that notion, however, saying 400 out of 524 school districts would benefit from the proposal.

This summer, the Cape Girardeau School Board approved raising starting pay for teachers by nearly $4,000, to $29,150.

Jackson teachers also saw a 3.5 percent raise this year, approved by the board in June.

Although Jackson already meets the minimum proposed salary, Dr. Jim Welker, assistant superintendent of finance for Jackson, said he thinks the state average needs to be addressed.

"Our minimum salary is at that level now, but this issue is important because it does affect the ability to attract and retain teachers" statewide, he said.

When asked if he thinks the district will have to raise salaries to remain competitive, he said, "we will definitely want to remain competitive salarywise. I think we've always tried to do that."

Wood said he hopes the legislation, if passed, keeps teachers in the classroom.

"Every student deserves a well-qualified and well-compensated teacher," he said.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

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Salary for first-year teachers with a bachelor's degree:Zalma: $25,000

Chaffee: $25,500

Leopold: $25,700

Perryville: $25,900

Meadow Heights: $26,054

Scott City: $27,000

Woodland: $27,000

Oran: $27,500

Kelly: $27,500

Oak Ridge: $28,000

Delta: $29,000

Cape Girardeau: $29,150

Jackson: $31,000

SOURCE: School districts