Distributed via email: May 22, 2018
TEACHER SALARY INCREASE MOVES TO HOUSE FOR ACTION
A bill is moving through the Illinois legislature that would require mandatory salary increases for teachers statewide. SB 2892 (Manar, D-Bunker Hill) provides that under the Minimum Salary section of the School Code schools would be required to pay teachers an annual salary increase, up to $40,000 over 5 school years if they are receiving a salary less than $40,000 per year. The schedule looks like this:
- A minimum of $32,076 for 2019-2020
- $34,576 for 2020-2021
- $37,076 for 2021-2022
- $40,000 for 2022-2023
- The bill further adds that for each school year thereafter, an automatic salary increase would be required including the minimum salary rate for the previous school year increased by the Consumer Price Index.
Illinois has a collective bargaining law that empowers local school boards, together with their teachers and support staff, to set salaries in consideration of the revenues available to run their schools. School leaders and staff must take into consideration all aspects of its budget and make very difficult decisions to provide an effective education program that meets the needs of all students.
A top-down approach to MANDATE a minimum salary for one group of employees within the school setting, without fully funding the increases, will cause layoffs, dismissals, and program cuts across the board in Illinois schools. Additionally, programs required to meet state and federal education standards will suffer as there will not be enough qualified staff or programming to meet student needs.
School leaders SUPPORT their teachers! This proposal will not help teachers and support staff, it will wreak havoc after Illinois just passed school funding reform that has put Illinois “Back on Track” to funding our schools.
It is imperative that you contact your state representative and ask for a NO VOTE on SB 2892!
- Click here to send a note to your legislator. Please edit the message to include the financial impact of this legislation on your school district. “This measure will cost our district $___ dollars to comply, which could mean laying off staff, cutting programs, etc.” Information regarding how much this mandate will cost your district and cuts that would have to be considered to comply are most compelling.
- Please SHARE THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THIS LEGISLATION with your legislators and with us at mbuch@iasb.com.