After a Challenging Opening Week for the 2007 Legislative Session, the House Has Passed

After a challenging opening week for the 2007 Legislative Session, the House has passed K-12 funding to include full-funding for MAEP, a 3% teacher pay increase, and a $1000 (8%) pay increase for Assistant Teachers. Also included was a 3% increase in the MAEP formula for at-risk students in K-3, hold harmless funding for any district that would receive less funding in FY ’08 than ’ 07, full funding for high growth districts, and hold harmless ADA for pre-Hurricane Katrina levels for the coastal districts. Also of interest, $5M was included for piloting pre-k programs and $5M for the State Department’s High School Redesign Program. One area of concern is that a portion of the Education Enhancement Classroom Supply Funds for teachers has again been diverted to fund MAEP. If the Classroom Supply Fund could be funded at the statutory level; teachers would receive about $1,000, but with this reduction, would only receive about $200.

The House version of the teacher pay bill is an “across the board” 3%, rather than differing amounts for entry and senior salary levels. Base increases are $900 for “A” Certificates, $960 for “AA”, $990 for “AAA” and $1020 for “AAAA”. Annual increment increases for years of experience are $15 for “A”, $20 for “AA”, $22 for AAA, and $24 for “AAAA”. The $2000 supplement for 25 years and above includes an increase of $60.

Therefore, a teacher with an “A” Certificate and 5 years experience would receive $900 plus $75($15 X 5) or a total of $975. A teacher with an “AA” and10 years experience would receive $960 plus $200 ($20 X 10) or a total of $1,160. A teacher with an “A” Certificate and 28 years experience would receive $900 plus $360(24 X $15) plus $60, or a total of $1320. As a reminder, annual experience increments are capped at 24 years for “A” Certificates and 25 years for “AA”, “AAA”, and “AAAA”.

The bills for funding and the pay raise will now go to the Senate for consideration. Unfortunately, we do not expect the Senate to act quickly. Next week, the “general bill” filing deadline will occur so next week’s update will include a summary of General bills we need to monitor, and of course any budget activity of note.

If any of you have questions, please feel free to contact me at 1-800-523-0269, or e-mail me at [email protected].

Judy Rhodes Executive Director MS Professional Educators