County school board urged
to raise teacher salaries
When it comes to money, Rockbridge County ranks 112 out of 132 in state funding, the commonwealth ranks 31st out of the 50 states in average teacher salary – about $6,000 a year below the national average -- and county teachers are struggling, says Laurie Hocker of the Rockbridge Education Association.
Headlining the agenda at Monday's Rockbridge County School Board meeting was a plan from the REA to increase teacher salaries to attract and retain high-quality teachers.
According to a study done by the REA, in 2004 it cost a family of four at least $39,660 per year to live in Rockbridge County. Fifty-six percent of teachers in the area make less than $40,000 per year. The average home price in the area is $257,213, a "figure far out of reach for area teachers," according to the REA.
At the meeting, Hocker unveiled a multifaceted proposal aimed at achieving a more competitive salary scale in Rockbridge County. She said a significant increase in teacher salaries could draw more young teachers to the area, further improving the performance of Rockbridge County's 2,889 students.
Hocker said young professionals don't come or stay in the area because "they don't see a future here."
The REA's plan for improving salaries starts at the bottom by suggesting a $2,000 jump in the starting salary to $36,000 per year.
For current teachers, the REA proposal suggests adopting a compounding index system. Under that system, salaries would increase each year by 1.3 percent instead of the current fixed amount of $523.
The proposal also provides a larger supplement for teachers who wish to further their education and reduces from 30 years to 20 years the time it takes teachers to reach their maximum pay.
It will be a challenge for the school district to act on the REA's proposal. If Gov. Kaine's proposed budget is passed by the General Assembly, state funding for Rockbridge County schools would increase by only $190,000, compared with an $847,000 increase last year.
Hocker would eventually like to see Rockbridge County's maximum pay rise to $52,614 per year, which is about a $1,000 above the Virginia average.
Produced by
Washington and Lee
journalism students.
Lead Supervisors:
Prof. Brian
Richardson
Prof. Phylissa
Mitchell
Editing supervisor:
Prof. Doug
Cumming
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd