Senator aims to cut incentive pay for Mo. teachers

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Senate budget chief wants to eliminate funding for a Missouri program that givers teachers extra pay for taking on extra duties.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Rob Mayer, of Dexter, wants to get rid of the $37 million Career Ladder program. He says the money could be used to help close a projected $500 million shortfall in next year's budget.

The Career Ladder program began in 1985 and provides teachers with extra pay for such things as after-school tutoring.

Mayer says he believes the committee is near a consensus to eliminate funding.

But some lawmakers are reluctant. Sen. Kurt Schaefer, of Columbia, says the program is the closest thing Missouri has to merit pay for teachers.