Teachers will get raises in 2017 if Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey gets his way
Dec 19, 2016, 5:35 AM | Updated: 7:20 am
(AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
PHOENIX — There will be more money invested in education, according to Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey. That could mean raises for teachers in 2017.
“The most important thing in any school setting is that teacher in the classroom,” Ducey said. “And that principal who leads the schools.”
Ducey’s already appointed a panel that’s calling for an overhaul of the state’s existing k-12 funding structure to increase salaries for teachers.
“We want to see our dollars go into the classroom, beginning at the classroom,” Ducey said.
Some have claimed Arizonan’s wouldn’t mind a tax increase to accomplish that goal, but Ducey disagrees.
“We’re not going to raise taxes in Arizona,” he said. “As you look across the country, the states that are holding the line on taxes and lowering taxes, have their economies growing more quickly.”
Arizona is growing because it’s been a predictable place to do business, Ducey said.
“And with that growing economy, we’ve got an expanding tax base and more dollars available to spend on our teachers and our students,” he said. “And that’s going to the tact I’m going to take.”
Meanwhile, the Governor also responded to the new funding proposal by Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas. The plan would give Arizona’s public schools $680 million to give pay raises to teachers, repair school facilities and buy new school buses.
“We’re looking at our budget proposal, along with what Diane Douglas is recommended and saying where do we have areas of agreement where we can move funding in the right direction.”
