Teachers get tentative pay raise, taxes rise
9:19 p.m. Wednesday, August 27, 2008
National Education Association Topeka President Mary Masters says the union's tentative contract agreement with Topeka Public Schools will help the district attract and retain qualified teachers.
"As a team, we believe that this contract is ratifiable," Masters said.
The contract gives teachers an average 4 percent increase in benefits, including a $1,000 salary raise for most teachers.
"The more money we have, the better our recruiting opportunities are for the district as well as helping to retain teachers in the school district," Masters said.
Your property taxes are going up to pay for the increase, almost $14 on a $100,000 home. But there are also other factors making your taxes rise.
Gas prices have driven the district's budget off course by nearly $100,000 and rising food prices have eaten more than $60,000. Still, district officials say an increase for their teachers was a must.
"If we don't have a good contract and if we're not able to keep teachers satisfied, then they're going to go elsewhere to find employment," Masters said.
Earlier this year, Topeka Public Schools dealt with a massive teacher shortage, but district officials hope this new contract will help them remain competitive.
"When (teachers) look at Topeka Public Schools and see that when you combine the salary and the benefits being paid, that we're the highest in Shawnee County," said USD 501 Spokesman Ron Harbaugh, "that certainly is a plus for us when it comes to the recruitment of teachers."
Teachers did lose some of their health benefits in this contract. They now having to pay for part of their policy out of their own pocket when the district used to completely fund it.
Still, the contract is expected to be approved by both parties in early October.
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