LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – An Arkansas legislative committee is backing a
short-term proposal to increase salaries for new teachers.
The state Department of Education has recommended guidelines for the allocation of $60 million to public schools over the next four years.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports the Administrative Rules Committee
of the Legislative Council reviewed the department’s suggestions Wednesday.
The council plans to meet Friday to decide on the proposal.
The state money would offset the costs of implementing mandatory wage increases in more than 160 of 238 Arkansas public school districts.
The proposal would also meet the requirements of a bill that Gov. Asa
Hutchinson approved earlier this year to raise minimum teacher salaries from $31,800 to $36,000 by 2023.
Some education groups say Arkansas needs to figure out a permanent solution.
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