Teacher salaries in Arkansas could rise from $36,000 to $50,000 with new bill

The average salary of teachers in Arkansas is lower than in neighboring states, and this issue is intended to solve the new bill.

LITTLE ROCK, Arc – The Arkansas Senate and House of Representatives introduced the Arkansas Schools and Educators Investment Promotion Act (RAISE) of 2023.

The bill would raise the starting salary of teachers in the worst states in the South, Arkansas, from $36,000 to $50,000, and would add $10,000 to every public school teacher in Arkansas.

Democrats also filed a companion bill that would raise the minimum wage for all classified employees in public schools from $11 to $15 an hour, giving many bus drivers, canteen workers, janitor and other staff a much-needed boost.

Both bills were supported by all members of the Democratic Assembly of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, in her inaugural address at the joint session of the 94th General Assembly, demanded a bill to raise teachers’ pay, saying, “If you send me a bill that rewards our teachers with higher pay, I will sign it.”

“Teachers in Arkansas are paid worse than their peers in any other southern state. With the help of the RAISE Act, we can correct this mistake and bring tremendous benefits to our children in Arkansas public schools,” said Senate Minority Leader Greg Leading (D-Fayetteville).

“We also know that our dedicated and hardworking staff, who keep our schools running every day, deserve a raise. And that’s exactly what our employee payroll account will do. Right now, the majority in this legislature wants higher salaries for teachers and support staff. Together with these two bills, we can build a brighter Arkansas for every child,” the Senate leader said.

“For more than three decades, I have taught in virtually every classroom, from parochial to private and public. I can safely say that Arkansas is blessed with some of the very best educators the South has to offer, but we don’t pay them what they deserve,” said House Minority Leader Tippy McCullough (D-Little Rock).

“The RAISE Act and our Staff Pay Raise Bill are an investment in our children and the future of Arkansas. These are not only investments that Arkansas can afford, but also ones that we must make in order to remain competitive among the best educators for our children. The Governor said she needs a bill to raise teacher salaries because she knows the dire need of our public schools. So here are two bills that will take Arkansas from the worst in the South to the best. Let’s do this for our children and families,” House Leader McCullough said.

Quick facts about the RAISE law:

  • The RAISE Act will cost $350 million for a $10,000 increase and $30 million in one-time costs to help counties meet the new $50,000 minimum wage.

  • The secret increase comes from a recommendation by the House of Representatives following the Educational Adequacy Study to increase the per-student fund for non-teacher employees. Our secret staff pay bill doubles the original recommendation for a $2 an hour increase to $4 an hour. We achieve this increase with an increase of $89 per student, which adds up to about $42 million.

  • Compared to neighboring states and the south, Arkansas has the lowest average teacher starting salaries: (Texas $44,527, Louisiana $42,185, Alabama $41,163, Tennessee $39,024, Mississippi $36,653 – Source: National Education Association)

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