Dear Pam: Thank you for contacting me regarding the proposal before the State Board of Education regarding changes to the salary schedule. I appreciate you sharing these concerns. Tennessee currently has one of the most prescriptive and restrictive salary policies in the country. We are one of only 15 states – none of which are in the top 10 for average teacher pay or student achievement – with a mandated salary schedule. The new salary schedule does not cut teacher salaries. To the contrary, the fiscal year 2014 budget increases funds for teacher compensation. Further, state law prohibits a local education authority from reducing the pay of any teacher. Over the past three years, we have added more than $130 million in recurring funds for teacher compensation. This is compared to only $22 million during the prior four years combined. The new salary schedule does not require school districts to alter their existing salary schedule, and does not mandate pay for performance. The new salary schedule simply sets minimum salaries for teachers and provides additional flexibility to school districts, but in no way prevents a district from using the same exact salary schedule and structure it currently has in place. Every district faces different challenges, and local districts can best decide how to compensate teachers based on local needs. The new salary schedule will allow districts greater latitude to attract and retain high quality teachers. Again, thank you for taking the time to write. Warmest regards, Bill Haslam BH:mg
Posted on: Sat, 22 Jun 2013 01:24:57 +0000
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