For Star subscribers: A GOP lawmaker is working to boost salaries for Arizona teachers, who are among the nation's lowest paid. Another proposal would subsidize health insurance for teachers' dependents.
Bob Christie Capitol Media Services PHOENIX — A freshman Republican lawmaker — who helped shepherd former Gov. Doug Ducey's effort to raise teacher pay to end a 2018 teacher strike — is working to boost educator salaries by another $10,000 a year.
People are also reading… Gress' proposal is one of two being considered by the House Appropriations Committee that are designed to boost teacher retention and get more people to come to Arizona to teach in public schools. And that surplus is expected to go to nearly zero by the time the plan would be fully implemented, meaning its chances are iffy at best.
That means nearly 7,600 teaching jobs either vacant or filled with uncertified teachers. The state Education Department says there are about 60,000 teachers in public K-12 district and charter schools. But he said boosting pay only for new teachers and not for those who are more experienced"could create significant workforce issues for schools.''
Teachers now pay less than $100 a month for their own health insurance coverage, but adding family coverage can bring the cost to $1,000 a month, said bill sponsor Rep. Amish Shaw.
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