Welcome to The Senate Site

Over 80 teachers from around the state have reported back on their salary increase. Thank you for the E-mail; it was wonderful to hear from all of you.

Some said thanks (you're welcome!). Some didn't realize their salary increase would be taxable (sorry). Others shared credible observations that they are receiving less than the amount we directed. We're looking into it.

Here is the KCPW Radio report, by Julie Rose.

For those who came in late . . . there was a glitch in the teacher count last year so we funded a lower number of teachers. House and Senate Leadership made public commitments to fully fund the raise for every teacher. We did that by putting an additional $40 million in the Base Budget. Executive Appropriations approved the Base Budget Bill 10 days ago.

There is really no reason, at this point, for any district to withhold the money we allocated to teachers.

Not only did we make good on the undercount, but we're making the $2500 raise permanent, and plan to to offer another salary increase in a few months.

Have a good Christmas, teachers. And thank you.

7 Comments:

 Anonymous said...

Can we expect the Senate Site to share with readers exactly how many of these 80 teachers are being robbed by their districts?

I'm still pulling for the districts, that they'll come through as soon as the Lege does. "The check's in the mail" really isn't enough assurance to distribute taxpayers' money for many districts.

Let's remember these compensation contracts were agreed to by each teachers' union and each teacher. If there is confusion on the teacher's part on how the legislative money is to be distributed perhaps the Senate Site should have recommended these folks question their union leadership or business administrators before it solicited their complaints.

The way you've gone about this kind of makes it look like you're digging for dirt on school districts.

12/22/2007 2:36 PM  

 The Senate Site said...

Anon,

"Robbed by their districts" and "digging for dirt" is a little extreme. I don't believe that describes districts' behavior, or ours. But we do expect that teachers will receive the money we send them.

The legislature has been burned in the past – allocating money for specific priorities only to find out later that it was diverted (think textbook funding, technology funding, class size reduction money, etc.). You could say that our patience level for that is just about zero.

Our staff is working with the State Office of Education to compile and analyze info on how each district distributed teachers' money this year and how they intend to distribute the full bonus and salary increase, as the legislature funds the undercount error. Between that and information from all the teachers who E-mailed us we should be able to iron out any discrepancy between what we intended and what teachers received.

RC

12/23/2007 9:09 PM  

 The Senate Site said...

P.S. Anon: I can tell you hold a different point of view but you've kept the tone of the discussion civil. Thank you.

(Have you thought about running for the senate?)

12/23/2007 9:41 PM  

 Anonymous said...

"The check is in the mail" was good enough for Tooele.

12/23/2007 11:47 PM  

 Jordan Teacher said...

We did not receive the full $2500 pay increase in Jordan. We received $1932 as indicated on the pay schedule on their website. A point of significance is that Jordan District does not see the $2500 increase as an ongoing increase. They indicate on their salary schedule posted on their website that it is a "one-time legislative money" added to the base salary.

We will receive the full $1000 bonus. The Jordan School Board voted at it's last meeting to make up the shortfall for this bonus and pay the teachers the full amount.

We received only a 1.25% increase on the pay scale from the 4% WPU increase. (However, the administrators received a full 4% pay increase as well as the legislative increases.)

12/24/2007 12:44 PM  

 Anonymous said...

I hope the collaboration continues with USOE, maybe there will be better understanding of how local control can lead to better decision-making and more efficient use of funds. Allowing of course for Legislative oversight for districts who need it and at the same time not punishing all for the sins of the few (textbook funding yes, that was diverted to cheerleading uniforms at one district?; technology- we need to know how to use the stuff, not just buy the stuff; class size reduction- see audit, definitely not diverted.)

Here's to a civil, respectful, and productive New Year this session!

(anon 2:36)

12/27/2007 9:32 AM  

 The Senate Site said...

I hope the collaboration continues too.

12/27/2007 11:29 AM  

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