ARIZONA NEWS

Here’s what you need to know about GOP plan to increase Arizona teacher pay

Nov 14, 2023, 11:01 AM | Updated: 11:03 am

Stock image of a teacher in front of a classroom. Arizona Republican lawmakers unveiled a plan Mond...

Arizona Republican lawmakers unveiled a plan Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, to increase teacher pay. (Pixabay Photo)

(Pixabay Photo)

PHOENIX — Arizona Republican lawmakers unveiled a plan Monday to increase teacher pay without raising taxes, but some education advocates are skeptical.

Under the proposal, voters would be asked in November 2024 to extend Proposition 123, with the proceeds dedicated solely to teacher pay. Prop 123, which is set to expire in 2025, increases public education funding using money from the State Land Fund.

Republicans say their plan would raise teacher pay by an average of 7% starting in November 2025, putting the average annual salary above $60,000, without increasing taxpayer burden.

Senate President Warren Petersen said during a press conference Monday the plan will cover eight to 10 years.

Public school advocacy group Save Our Schools Arizona is all for paying teachers more but questions the funding mechanism of the GOP plan, calling it “a shell game” that “steals from one pot to give to the other.”

Why is teacher pay an issue in Arizona?

Both sides agree that Arizona needs to increase teacher pay as educators flee to other states that offer better salaries.

One month into the current school year, nearly 30% of teacher positions in Arizona public and charter schools were unfilled, according to the Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association (ASPAA).

In addition, more than half of the filled positions were teachers who don’t meet state standard certification requirements.

“The shortage of educators directly impacts the quality of education students receive. Larger class sizes, reduced individualized attention and limited extracurricular opportunities are just a few of the consequences students face as a result of this crisis,” ASPAA said after releasing its latest report in September.

What are the arguments for and against GOP teacher pay plan?

Petersen said the Republican proposal works because the State Land Fund is a reliable funding source.

“We believe we can continue this dedicated funding source long-term because the fund has already grown exponentially over the last eight years, even during tumultuous economic times,” he said in a press release.

Save Our Schools Arizona questions the sustainability given the fact that the state is facing a potential $400 million budget deficit that will likely require spending cuts.

“We are glad to work with lawmakers who are serious about raising new dollars to fund our teachers, but this sleight of hand is unacceptable,” the group said in a statement.

What does Supt. Tom Horne think about Republican proposal?

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, a Republican, called the plan “a step in the right direction” and said the numbers add up. But he also said more would need to be done to solve the state’s teacher retention crisis.

Horne told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show on Tuesday that Arizona is losing 40% of its teachers in their first four years and another 26% in the fifth through ninth years.

“We can’t replace teachers at that rate,” he said. “The surrounding states all pay more, and we lose good teachers to the surrounding states. We can’t afford to keep doing that, so we absolutely have to raise the salaries of our teachers.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Police are investigating an officer-related shooting in Phoenix on Wednesday that left two people i...

Bailey Leasure

Suspects’ car crashes while fleeing police-involved shooting in Phoenix

Police are investigating an officer-related shooting in Phoenix on Wednesday that left two people injured.

5 hours ago

One woman has died after a crash in north Phoenix Tuesday, authorities said....

Bailey Leasure

North Phoenix collision leaves 1 woman dead, another hospitalized

One woman has died after a crash in north Phoenix on Tuesday, authorities said.

6 hours ago

Collision in Peoria...

Danny Shapiro

2 dead in Peoria collision; speed, impairment possible factors

Two people, an 86-year-old woman and 90-year-old man, died after a collision in Peoria on Wednesday morning, authorities said.

6 hours ago

One man has died and another is in critical condition after a shooting in west Phoenix on Tuesday, ...

Bailey Leasure

1 dead, 1 hospitalized after west Phoenix shooting

One man has died and another is in critical condition after a shooting in west Phoenix on Tuesday, authorities said.

7 hours ago

Health care for prisoners in Arizona...

Associated Press

Lawyers for inmates ask judge to take over health care services in Arizona prisons

Lawyers for 25,000 people incarcerated in Arizona have asked a judge to take over health care operations in state-run prisons and appoint an official to run them, saying the state is not capable of fixing deep failures in care even though it has been required to do so over the last decade.

8 hours ago

Follow @kstonezone...

Sponsored Content by Bright Wealth Management

How updating your estate plan is crucial in saving money

As you map out your estate plan, mapping out beneficiaries and keeping it up to date is key in order for the most funds possible to be passed down with ease.

Sponsored Articles

...

Asset Preservation Wealth & Tax

How to optimize the most money in 2024 tax returns

As tax season begins, getting your financials in order is important to maximize your tax return.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to save money on retirement planning following 2024 election

PHOENIX -- With the 2024 election over, economic changes could impact how people plan for retirement as 2025 is on the horizon.

...

Schwartz Laser Eye Center

Don’t miss the action with this game-changing procedure

PHOENIX -- The clear lens exchange procedure has emerged as a popular alternative to LASIK eye surgery.

Here’s what you need to know about GOP plan to increase Arizona teacher pay