 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
Back
|
Teacher raises, yes; but funding?
By KELLY RYAN GILMER, Times Staff Writer LARGO -- Pinellas County School Board members on Tuesday committed to raising teacher salaries to the national average in three to five years. They're just not sure where to find the money. One possibility: Asking voters no sooner than next spring to tax themselves to raise millions over four years. During a workshop with the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association, board members agreed that a referendum merits discussion but wouldn't endorse it yet. Some are holding out hope that the state Legislature will better fund education next year or that a new governor will be elected this fall. However the district decides to raise the millions it will take to reach the goal, union officials were cheered by the board's commitment. They said Pinellas will be better positioned to hire and retain qualified teachers if the county's salary is competitive among southern states and nationally. Also, a long-term commitment to raise salaries should boost morale among teachers disheartened by recent budget cuts and increasing responsibilities, said union president Rob McMahon. "Given the condition of education in this state, if we don't offer hope in at least this area, it's hopeless," said union executive director Jade Moore. Pinellas' average teacher salary, based on the 2002-2003 contract the board approved Tuesday night, is $39,000. The national average is $45,800, and that amount increases annually by almost 3 percent. Board members agreed to set their sights on a number just below $45,800. That's because Florida teachers do not have to contribute to their retirement funds or pay state income tax. Teachers in many other states do. That adjustment puts the national average closer to $42,000. The School Board could reach that amount in three years if teacher salaries were bumped up 6 percent each year. That would be costly. The first year, 2003-2004, would cost almost $22-million. That price tag would gradually climb to almost $33-million in 2009-2010. A referendum could generate enough money. Levying a half mill beginning in 2003-2004 would generate just more than $22-million. A mill is equal to $1 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed taxable property value. But before board members will commit to asking taxpayers to raise their own property taxes, they have several questions. Could the district reduce the taxes it collects for construction projects to offset the increase to fund teacher salaries? When could the referendum be scheduled so it would be likely to pass? Could the revenue be put in a trust fund that earns interest? Perhaps most important: When the tax runs out in four years, how would the School Board continue to keep pace with the national average if another referendum didn't pass? "To me, the goal is the easy part," said board member Linda Lerner. "How we're going to fund it is the hard part." The soonest a referendum question could come to voters is next spring, Moore said. It would take months and a concentrated public relations effort to build community support, he said. Pinellas' goal is unique. Around the state, districts are freezing teacher salaries or only giving minimal raises because of budget cuts. After eliminating 121 district-level jobs, Pinellas was able to raise teacher salaries in 2002-2003 by an average of 5 percent. Board members will meet with union officials this fall to discuss strategies for funding the salary goals. On July 30, Superintendent Howard Hinesley will bring the goal to the board for a formal vote. Board member Jane Gallucci is proud that Pinellas is setting the standard. But she noted that in North Carolina and Georgia, states that Pinellas is chasing, state leaders are the ones leading the charge.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
Headlines From the Times local news desks Howard Troxler |
