Idaho's teacher pay raises are unlikely to reach the amounts approved by the legislature. Which is why (2023)

This story was originally published on June 1, 2023 atEducational news from Idaho.

At first, it seemed like all Idaho teachers would get a raise of $6,359 for the next school year.

That's the amount that lawmakers have set aside for teacher pay raises, totaling $145 million.

Politicians ranging from senators to governors praised the growth and urged district leaders to funnel money to teachers.

"I want our table administrators and our school administrators to hear this loud and clear: It's what gets every teacher best," Senator Lori Den Hartog, R-Meridian,explainat this year's Legislative Council.

"The last thing we want is for teachers to say, 'We never got the raise we deserved,'" said principal Debbie Critchfield.Tell EdNewsin April. "We don't want that."

Most Idaho teachers deserve a raise, but many won't see a full $6,359 in their pockets.

This is because at the local level, the distribution of state funds is not as easy as it seems. For example, Coeur d'Alene teachers got a raise of $6,359. But at Pocatello, the increase could be $5,000 and $4,965 at West Ada. (See below for more details on contract negotiations in these three regions.)

District leaders are making tough budget decisions because "our state education is chronically underfunded," said Mike Journee, a spokesman for the Idaho State Education Association.

Journee said the high number of requests for taxpayer funding for schools in the March and May elections - more than $1 billion and $734 million respectively - suggests the state is not funding school districts as it should. "We think that's wrong. The state must fulfill its constitutional obligation to adequately fund public education.”

(Video) Idaho school districts facing 702 open teaching positions

But Journee said teachers appreciated the "aggressive pursuit of pay increases" by Prime Minister Brad Little and Critchfield.

"It was a very important moment for our members," he said. "It provides some validation and perspective that they are valued for what they do."

But the next time teacher raises hit the headlines, teachers should wait to see how much of those funds actually pay their salaries before celebrating, said Quinn Perry, director of policy and government affairs for the Idaho School Boards Association ( Quinn Perry).

"Don't go out and buy washing machines, dryers or appliances and invest money in them until you see what's on the table."

These negotiations are currently ongoing or have recently concluded. In many cases, teachers get less than advertised raises. Here's why, according to education leaders:

Federale 与 staatsleraren:The raise is only available to state-funded teachers. This means that government-funded teachers, like many special education teachers, will not receive the same raise unless the school district pays.Assigned to:The district needs to bridge the gap between what the state provides and the $6,359 it must give to all teachers.

The school district employs more teachers than the state allocates to:Legislators increase the number of teachers based on district needs as determined by the state, not the actual number of teachers in each district. These teachers' salaries are covered by districts and/or taxpayers, as are any raises.Assigned to:The district needs to bridge the gap between what the state provides and the $6,359 it must give to all teachers.

Areas where teachers are paid in excess of state allocations:The state also has a formula for setting teachers' salaries. However, many districts fund teachers in excess of this amount. Additional raises are often paid for with additional taxes - which can make leaders reluctant to force taxpayers to pay for another increase. Or maybe districts want to use statutory payroll funds to ease the burden on taxpayers.Assigned to:Districts that employ more teachers and pay higher salaries than the state grants face more hurdles in extending the $6,359 raise to all teachers - because more has to come from their own resources/local taxpayers.

Attendance affects school funding:Some regional leaders fear they will lose government funding as a resultReturn to attendance-based financingSchool year 2023-24.Assigned to:This reversal could mean less government funding for the next school year in some areas (only time will tell), so they are now making conservative fiscal choices.

Lost in the election:Some districts are on tight budgets after losing school elections.Assigned to:Regions may not be able to fill the gap left by state offers without additional taxes.

(Video) Conservatives continue their push for 'Greater Idaho'

Long-term stability concerns:If school districts raise wages up the career ladder (a long-term contract program that provides progressive raises over the course of a teacher's career), they generally offer a pay raise of 1 or more per year on a permanent basis (or meet teachers who don't vehemently oppose) wanting pay cuts) - although the legislature may or may not still allocate money for wage increases.Assigned to:Concern that the pay increases may not be sustainable in the long run may lead some district leaders to opt for one-time bonuses over permanent increases.

In West Ada, teachers earn less than expected

In the West Adda school district - the largest in the state - almost all of the above will have an impact on teachers' pay increases.

The district employs over 150 certified teachers from its own budget, not government funds. Not all teachers are funded by the state - some salaries are funded by the federal government, others are funded by ERI (Early Reading Intervention).

In addition, according to the negotiating protocol, the district paid teachers "well above" state wage regulations.

It all comes down to this: The extra $6,359 for all West Ada teachers next year would cost $21 million next year, of which the district would have to pay $14 million, according to the protocols.

Also, restoring attendance-based funding means the district could lose about $10 million (although it's too early to tell). then close$500 million of recent losses in factory facilities.

“Failure to collect tax affects everything we do,” the minutes read.

In the end, the school district and local teachers' union agreed to a raise of about $4,965 per teacher - so "significant ... just not as advertised," said Zach Borman, president of the West Ada Education Association.

Still, it would be the biggest one-off increase Borman has seen in the region. Union members agreed to the deal with an almost unanimous 97 percent approval - up from around 80 percent last spring.

Borman said he received angry text messages from teachers who wondered why they didn't get the $6,359 they had seen on the news and heard from politicians.

(Video) Republican lawmakers draft school choice legislation

Interpretation is complicated, but Borman said the district did its best given the circumstances.

District leaders "have made every effort to ensure that teachers' raises are substantial," but state-level issues "are completely beyond the district's control and will not allow headline negotiations this year."

At Coeur d'Alene, Levy helps you get a full raise of $6,359

Instead of laying off teachers and closing primary schools, Coeur d'Alene is giving staff raises for the next school year.

Last month, voters approved the district's request for a two-year, $50 million additional tax. The county operating budget is subject to fees to cover 25% of the operating budget.

School council president Rebecca Smith said: "We are also very grateful to everyone who gave their time and talent to encourage people to vote on May 16. We wouldn't be able to pay salaries without the support of our community. The raise we approved today."

Superintendent Shon Hocker added, “Last year was a challenging year for all of us. We are also grateful to the government. Small Legislative Council for increasing funding to provide our teachers with competitive salaries.

The extra money the state provided for the raises was not enough to pay for all of the graduate raises because the district was employing more teachers than the state required to support small classes. However, all teachers will receive a raise of $6,359 in state funds and extra fee funds, a district spokesman said.

On Wednesday, the school board and the education association unanimously agreed on a new pay package.

  • Eliminate the "dead zone" where all employees are ineligible for pay raises despite years of service or credit.

  • $6,359 salary increase for all graduates.

    (Video) Viewpoint: The 2023 Idaho legislative session so far

  • Annual funding for some hard-to-fill positions.

  • The school district will maintain current Blue Cross "driver" and "buyer" insurance plans with the same coverage and deductibles, and will maintain the 68% health insurance premium and district fee of $1,230.03.

  • The minimum starting wage for all classified workers has increased from $12.75 an hour to $16 an hour.

  • $6,359 salary increase for all district administrators.

“We need to work together to be successful,” said Scott Travers, a teacher and member of the negotiating team. "The unified outcome of our negotiations this year shows that we can disagree and still work together effectively to achieve the desired result together."

At Pocatello, teachers can add $5,000

Teachers in the Pocatello-Chubbuck school district could get a $5,000 raise next year.

Regional and local unions have tentatively agreed to pay increases, but the deal still needs board approval before it can be finalized.

Mary Anne McGrory, president of the Pocatello Educational Association, said the full $6,359 could not be reached because Pocatello-Chubbuck employed more teachers than were allocated in the state and was concerned about the transition to attendance-based funding.

"Every district is very concerned about what it will do with funding until (we have no better idea) ... the district is hesitant to spend more money," she said.

McGrory said she was "very pleased" with the $5,000 raise that was on the table, and so did the members - who unanimously approved the contract on Wednesday.

(Video) Viewpoint: Idaho House speaker discusses top legislative priorities for 2020

FAQs

Are Idaho teachers getting a raise? ›

All teachers will receive funding for a $6,359 pay boost for each instructional and pupil service staff position, although salaries are set locally. “We're making the teaching profession in Idaho more competitive and rewarding, which keeps great teachers in the classroom to help our students achieve,” Gov.

Are Idaho teachers getting a raise in 2023? ›

Specifically, the enacted budget: Accelerates implementation of the career ladder in FY 2023 ($104 million), representing a 10% increase in pay for Idaho teachers. The budget also includes $1,000 bonuses for all school employees in the current year to reflect the increased workload due to the pandemic ($36.7 million).

Does Idaho pay teachers well? ›

How much does a Public School Teacher make in Idaho? The average Public School Teacher salary in Idaho is $52,584 as of May 25, 2023, but the range typically falls between $43,912 and $64,129.

What is the Idaho teacher bonus? ›

The Idaho House this morning gave final passage to SB 1404, providing $1,000 bonuses to every Idaho teacher this year, but it was anything but unanimous, passing on a 45-24 vote after only negative debate.

Where does Idaho rank in teacher pay? ›

Highest-Paid Teachers By State
RankState10th Percentile
45Idaho$26,000
46Missouri$26,000
47Oklahoma$26,000
48Maine$22,000
46 more rows
Dec 4, 2022

What is a teachers salary in Idaho? ›

Salaries by years of experience in Idaho
Years of experiencePer hour
1 to 2 years$14.27
3 to 5 years-
6 to 9 years$16.63
More than 10 years$19.11
1 more row

What is the minimum salary in Idaho 2023? ›

What is the minimum wage in Idaho? Currently, the 2023 minimum wage is $7.25 an hour for employers in Idaho.

Who is Idaho state Teacher of the Year 2023? ›

2023 Teacher of the Year - Karen Lauritzen.

What is the wage grade increase for 2023? ›

The 2023 GS pay scale incorporates a 2023 federal pay raise with an overall average of 4.6% with a General Schedule (GS) base pay increase of 4.1% and a 2023 GS locality pay increase of 0.5% for a total 2023 pay raise of 4.6% for federal employees. FedSmith, Inc. FedSmith, Inc.

Which state pays teachers the highest? ›

New York leads the nation in teacher pay with an average salary of $80,286, according to WalletHub.

What state pays teachers the least? ›

Mississippi has the lowest average teacher salary of $47,162, followed by South Dakota with $49,761. These are the only states with average teacher salaries under $50,000 a year. Other states with lower average teacher salaries are West Virginia, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, and Arkansas.

Is teacher pay teachers worth it? ›

The first question everyone asks is: “can I really make money selling on Teachers Pay Teachers?” The answer is YES. It is a great way to start up a small business and earn extra income for teachers. I won't sugarcoat it though, you will have to put a lot of hard work into it.

How much is a teachers pension in Idaho? ›

Employees contribute 6.23% of salary out of each paycheck to the pension fund. The average retirement benefit is $16,448 per year, or $1,371 per month. PERSI covers 28,777 active school employees and 16,103 retired school employees and beneficiaries. Teachers are paid 14.3% less than comparable private sector workers.

Does Idaho have a teacher shortage? ›

A follow-up survey indicates the number of vacancies for certified teacher positions across the state dropped to 134 since the start of the school year. Of the 134 vacant positions, 68% are in special education, 52% are in math and 35% are in science.

What is the average salary for an elementary school teacher in Idaho? ›

The average salary for a elementary school teacher in Idaho is $40,000 per year. Elementary school teacher salaries in Idaho can vary between $18,000 to $62,500 and depend on various factors, including skills, experience, employer, bonuses, tips, and more.

Who is the highest paid teacher in the world? ›

Luxembourg. According to an OECD report, Luxembourg (a European country) has the highest-paid teachers in the world. Another source indicates that a bachelor's degree holder is entitled to an initial salary of €67,000 (US $70,323.20) per annum at the start of their teaching career.

What city has the highest paid teachers? ›

In 2021, the average K-12 public school teacher nationwide was paid $65,090. Average teacher pay was the highest in New York at $87,738, followed by Massachusetts and California.

What teacher gets paid the most? ›

  1. Superintendent. When you are looking into the best careers in education, you will want to consider the role of a superintendent. ...
  2. School Principal/Assistant Principal. ...
  3. University/College Administrator. ...
  4. Professor. ...
  5. Instructional Coordinator. ...
  6. High School Teachers. ...
  7. Special Education Teachers. ...
  8. Middle School Teachers.

What benefits do teachers get in Idaho? ›

As a teacher in Idaho, you'll be covered for some of the following services:
  • Immunizations.
  • Physician Office Visits.
  • Maternity Services.
  • Hospital Services.
  • Laboratory and X-Ray Services.
  • Ambulance.
  • Prescription Drug Coverage.

What is the average salary in Idaho? ›

We found at least 10 types of jobs in Idaho that pay more than the state average of $52,907 per year. The top examples of these jobs are Hematologist Oncologist, Cardiovascular Surgeon, and Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation Physician.

How much do most teachers make a month? ›

How Much Do Teacher Jobs Pay per Month?
Annual SalaryMonthly Pay
Top Earners$47,500$3,958
75th Percentile$37,000$3,083
Average$32,927$2,743
25th Percentile$24,000$2,000

What does Walmart pay in Idaho? ›

Working at Walmart:

Average wage2: $18.10.

What is the cost of living in Idaho? ›

Average Cost of Living in Idaho: $39,739 per year
CategoryAverage Annual Per-Capita Cost in Idaho
Housing and Utilities$7,109
Health Care$6,714
Food and Beverages (non-restaurant)$3,296
Gas and Energy Goods$1,393
1 more row

What state minimum wage is the lowest? ›

Currently, 30 states and Washington D.C. have minimum wages above the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Five states have not adopted a state minimum wage: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee. Two states, Georgia and Wyoming, have a minimum wage below $7.25 per hour.

Who is the best teacher 2023? ›

National Teachers Awards Result 2021
Name of the Teacher & DesignationName of the School & State/UT/Organization
Vipin Kumar, Vice PrincipalRajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya, Delhi
Deepak Joshi, TeacherGovt. Sr. Sec. School, Dandusar, Rajasthan
Jaisingh, Senior Physical TeacherGovt. Sr. Sec. School, Devrod, Rajasthan
41 more rows

How old are new teachers? ›

According to Teacherpensions.org, about half of new teachers take on a full-time job at 22 or 23 after receiving a bachelor's degree and completing a student teaching program. Twenty percent start teaching in their late 20s, 16 percent begin in their 30s, and nine percent enter the field after 40.

Who is VBCPS Teacher of the Year 2023? ›

Congratulations finalists! So proud of Mary Molly Harrison!!! Mrs Pezzella is what every teacher should be. She is innovative, thoughtful, engaging, and inspiring!

What is a good raise percentage? ›

The average pay raise is 3%. A good pay raise ranges from 4.5% to 5%, and anything more than that is considered exceptional. Depending on the reasons you cite for a pay raise and the length of time that has passed since your last raise, you could request a raise in the 10% to 20% range.

What is cola pay raise 2023? ›

While the 2022 COLA adjustment was 5.9%, government inflation data showed costs grew at a faster pace for much of last year. Now, the 8.7% COLA for 2023 is outpacing current inflation, with a 5.8% increase over the past 12 months for the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, or CPI-W.

How much is a 5 percent raise? ›

To calculate a 5% pay raise, you only have to multiply the percentage of the increase (in decimals) by your current salary and add your current salary. So, assuming your monthly salary is $1,000, a 5% increase will be 0.05 multiplied by $1,000 plus the current salary, resulting in $1,050.

What is the highest paying job in the world? ›

So, given below is an updated list of the most paid jobs in the world.
  1. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) ...
  2. Medical Professionals. ...
  3. Corporate Lawyer. ...
  4. Investment Banker. ...
  5. Data Scientist. ...
  6. Project Manager. ...
  7. Senior Software Engineer. ...
  8. Web Developers.
May 9, 2023

What state has the highest teacher shortage? ›

Georgia had the highest number of vacancies (3,112) for the 2019-2020 school year. More recently, during the 2021-2022 school year, Florida had the most vacancies with 3,911 positions unfulfilled. That same school year, Mississippi and Alabama had over 3,000 vacancies.

What states are easiest to get a teaching job? ›

The 10 Best States To Find A Teaching Job
  • Illinois. ...
  • Florida. ...
  • Arizona. ...
  • Connecticut. ...
  • Alabama. ...
  • Arkansas. ...
  • Texas. ...
  • North Carolina. With current shortages in the usual fields, there are predicted shortages of teachers across many categories.

Are teachers happy with their salary? ›

A higher percentage of teachers who were dissatisfied with their salary agreed, “The stress and disappointments involved in teaching at this school aren't really worth it” (30 percent), “If I could get a higher paying job I'd leave teaching as soon as possible” (45 percent),“I think about transferring to another school ...

Who owns Teachers Pay Teachers? ›

Founded in 2006, Teachers Pay Teachers has over 2.6 million active users with sales exceeding $60 million. It was acquired by IXL Learning on March 2, 2023.

Can you still make money on Teachers Pay Teachers? ›

Yes, making extra money on TpT is absolutely possible, but many new sellers drop out when they have to put in the hard work of creating resources and don't see an instant turnaround on their investment of time.

What is the rule of 90 in Idaho? ›

You may receive an unreduced retirement benefit if your years of service plus your age equal 90 (General Members) or 80 (Public Safety Officers). You do not need to reach the Rule of 80/90 to retire. As long as you have reached minimum retirement age, and have at least 60 months of service, you may retire.

Is Idaho pension friendly? ›

Idaho is tax-friendly toward retirees. Social Security income is not taxed. Withdrawals from retirement accounts are fully taxed. Wages are taxed at normal rates, and your marginal state tax rate is 0.0%.

Is Idaho PERSI good? ›

During that period, the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) was among the nation's most stable systems, the study found. In 2020, the state's pension fund was 89% funded, ranking in the top 10 among all 50 states.

What is the main cause of the teacher shortage? ›

Why are there shortages of teachers? Myriad reasons: low pay and morale, mounting political and academic pressures, health and safety concerns.

How many teachers are needed in Idaho? ›

The Idaho State Board of Education surveyed 115 school districts. Combined, 78 districts need to fill 894 teaching openings.

What are states doing to combat teacher shortage? ›

The state of California has invested $500 million to attract new teachers, counselors, social workers and psychologists to schools in need through the California Student Aid Commission's Golden State Teacher Grant program.

What state pays the highest elementary teacher salary? ›

Best-Paying States for Elementary School Teachers
  • New York. $87,700.
  • California. $86,470.
  • $83,790.
  • Washington. $83,010.
  • $82,140.

What is the lowest paying state for elementary teachers? ›

On average, Oklahoma is the lowest-paying state for teachers. There, teachers typically make less than $33,630 a year.

What is the best pay for elementary teachers? ›

Teacher Elementary School Salary in California
PercentileSalaryLocation
25th Percentile Teacher Elementary School Salary$57,215CA
50th Percentile Teacher Elementary School Salary$69,731CA
75th Percentile Teacher Elementary School Salary$84,211CA
90th Percentile Teacher Elementary School Salary$97,394CA
1 more row

What is the cost of living raise in Idaho? ›

PERSI Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs)
DatesRate
03/01/20211.0%
03/01/20201.7% [a]
03/01/20191.0%
03/01/20181.9%
52 more rows

Will Florida pay teachers more? ›

$252+ million increase for the teacher salary increase categorical, which will stand at more than $1 billion for school year 2023–2024. Additionally, the Governor will sign: $10 million for the Heroes in the Classroom Bonus Program (HB 1035).

Are DeKalb County teachers getting a raise? ›

First-year teachers with four-year degrees can expect to see a raise of about $3,200. The budget also funds additional employees, including 52 more psychologists, social workers and school nurses, 230 more teachers and 70 more custodians.

Are teachers in Texas getting a raise? ›

The short answer here is “Yes! Probably.” It still needs to be approved by voters in November, but the Legislature passed a plan authorizing the first-ever cost-of-living adjustment for Texas teachers who have retired since 2004. This year's increases will come in three tiers: 2 percent, 4 percent and 6 percent.

What is a good salary in Idaho? ›

Comfortable Salary in Idaho
Annual SalaryMonthly Pay
Top Earners$41,645$3,470
75th Percentile$35,700$2,975
Average$30,252$2,521
25th Percentile$30,200$2,516

Is Idaho a cheap state to live in? ›

If you move to Idaho, you won't be looking at a particularly expensive or particularly affordable lifestyle. According to MERIC data gathered in the third quarter of 2022, Idaho has the 28th-lowest cost of living in the United States, putting it in the middle of all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

What is a good wage in Idaho? ›

$36,523 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $63,271 is the 75th percentile.

What three states have the highest teacher pay? ›

Here's how much teachers earn in the five highest-paying states.
  1. New York. Average salary: $80,286.
  2. Illinois. Average salary: $70,696.
  3. Michigan. Average salary: $70,137.
  4. Pennsylvania. Average salary: $69,949.
  5. Washington. Average salary: $69,005.
Mar 16, 2023

What state pays teachers the most compared to cost of living? ›

Overall, New York and Massachusetts K-12 teachers are compensated more, relative to other earners and cost of living, than teachers in the rest of the country. Using this analysis, public teacher pay is the lowest in Florida and Arizona.

Where does Florida rank in teacher pay in the US? ›

NEA data shows that in the 2018-2019 school year, when DeSantis entered office, Florida ranked 47th in the nation for average public school teacher pay, giving teachers an average annual salary of $48,314. It ranked 48th in the 2020-2021 school year, giving teachers an average of $51,009.

What is the latest teacher pay rise? ›

Teachers and leaders have been offered an average pay rise of 4.5% in 2023 to 2024. This is above the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecast for inflation at the end of this calendar year, which is 2.9% and forecast to fall further.

What is the DeKalb teacher bonus? ›

Teachers who renew their contracts and return for the 2023-24 school year will receive a $2,000 retention bonus. So will returning bus drivers and other full-time employees. New math, science, special education teachers and teachers who transfer to a high-needs school will receive $4,000.

How much is the DeKalb teacher salary increase? ›

In addition to the 6% COLA increase, a step increase will be provided for all step eligible employees. To put these increases into perspective, the average teacher's pay will increase by $5,000-$6,500 annually when calculating a 6% COLA plus a step increase!

How much do teachers with a masters make in Texas? ›

Master Teacher Salary in Texas:$26,063 - ZipRecruiter.

What is the average new teacher salary in Texas? ›

How much does an Entry Level Teacher make in Texas? The average Entry Level Teacher salary in Texas is $42,015 as of May 25, 2023, but the range typically falls between $35,086 and $51,239.

What rank is Texas in teacher salaries? ›

Texas ranked 14th in the U.S. for the average starting teacher salary at $45,493 during the 2021-2022 school year — $2,648 higher than the national average.

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