SC teachers pay raised under House budget proposal, but it’s not as high as some hoped
Teachers hoping to see a starting pay of at least $50,000 may have to wait at least one more year.
House budget writers proposed a $1,500 increase to the starting teacher pay from $47,000 to $48,500. About 45 school districts have a starting salary of less than $48,500.
Every cell of the state minimum salary schedule, where teachers are paid based on years of experience and education level, also would be increased by $1,500. It’s a move that serves as an incentive teachers to stay in the position.
Under the spending proposal, the salary schedule would be reduced from five lanes to four lanes by eliminating the lane for bachelors degree plus 18 hours of continuing education.
State Rep. Bill Whitmire, R-Oconee, who oversees public education spending, said most teachers in that lane have moved up to a masters degree.
Raising pay has been seen as a way of addressing the state’s teacher shortage.
“In many ways, the most important recruitment effort the state can make is encouraging current teachers to remain in the profession,” Patrick Kelly, the director of governmental affairs of the Palmetto State Teachers Association, said in a statement.
Starting teacher pay was $28,190 in 2017. If lawmakers stick with the House Ways and Means Committee proposal, starting teacher pay would be 72% higher compared to 2017.
The proposed increase would cost the state about $112 million more a year.
Gov. Henry McMaster and the Department of Education want to go to a $50,000 starting salary during this year’s budget debate, one year ahead of his stated goal. That would cost $200 million in annual money to raise teacher pay.
“While meeting that $50,000 goal this year would have significant positive benefits, the proposed Ways and Means raise provides meaningful salary improvement for educators while demonstrating House leadership’s commitment to fulfilling the governor’s ambitious agenda prior to the end of his term in office,” Kelly said.
Budget writers have $666 million in recurring money and $1.25 billion of one-time money to allocate this year.
“We didn’t have enough money to do it. I’d love to have done it,” Whitmire said. “We had so many other expenses, not only just in public education, but we’ve got six other subcommittees. So that’s the best we could do this year. Hopefully we’ll get up to $50,000 next year.”
Even though the number of teaching vacancies declined this year, the state still had more than 1,000 unfilled teaching positions.
“Whereas our state once trailed nearly every state in the Southeast in starting and average teacher pay, South Carolina is now at or near the top of the region in both categories. To continue reversing educator shortages, the time is now to build on the positive salary momentum from prior budget cycles,” Kelly said.
