News Releases for February 2003
February 6, 2003
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Hoeven Pushes For Increased Teacher Compensation
Statement of Governor John Hoeven
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven today issued the following statement in response to the Senate Education Committee’s education bill, SB 2013, passed out of committee today:
“The Senate Education Committee brought the Education Funding Bill out of Committee today.
“As you know, my budget calls for maintaining the $3,000 teacher compensation payment we started this biennium, and then increasing it another $1,500. We’ve made good progress for educators and we need to continue it.
“The good news is that the Senate Education Committee maintained the $3,000 teacher compensation payment, and they maintained the full level of funding for K-12 education in the bill.
“They amended the bill, however, to move the $1,500 increase in the teacher compensation package into foundation aid. I am very concerned about that because the money needs to get to our teachers.
“To address that concern, the Senate Education Committee also raised the state minimum salary requirement by $1,500, from $20,000 to $21,500. That will not get the job done - and I am continuing to call for a $1,500 increase in teacher compensation.
“If the Legislature wants to provide the increase in the form of foundation aid, then they need to require that each school district increase its base by about $1,500.
“An increase in each school district’s compensation base by about $1,500 could have the same effect as increasing the teacher compensation payment by $1,500. The bill as amended does not do that. Therefore, I call on legislators to return the bill to its original form, and support our educators with the $1,500 teacher compensation increase.”
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