FAYETTEVILLE — School Board members are expected to vote tonight on whether to approve a raise for teachers.
The raise would give teachers an extra 1.5 percent in salary on top of an annual, average 1 percent increase they receive for experience and education, said Glenda Sullins, director of finance and business services for Fayetteville Public Schools.
If the raise passes, it would be the second consecutive year for district-wide raises for teachers.
Board members unanimously voted at their July 2017 meeting to set the district’s beginning teacher pay above $45,000 a year. They passed a $3,000 increase to base salaries for all certified teaching staff and an average 3.5 percent raise for classified staff, including bus drivers, cooks, custodians and administrative assistants.
Board members discussed May 9 the district’s annual budget for next year, which includes the proposed teacher raise.
Board members said it would benefit experienced teachers who have higher salaries more than last year’s raise, which disproportionately rewarded less experienced teachers.
The board seemed divided about the raise during the May budget session.
The main reason for the increase would be to help the district compete with Springdale Public Schools, the only Northwest Arkansas district with higher average teacher wages, Sullins said.
Board Vice President Traci Farrah said, “We need to at least be on an equal playing field with schools in the region. We are closing the gap, but I want to close the gap.”
Others were not as certain about the increase.
Board member Bob Maranto added teachers want to live in Fayetteville, and that is a huge advantage in recruiting.
“We are going to have growing priorities, especially in the building area. We are going to need to prioritize,” said John L. Colbert, associate superintendent for support services and acting superintendent.
Board member Tim Hudson said it’s not fair to say the district isn’t competitive. Fayetteville spends $10,538 per student, which is $731 greater than the state average. Springdale spends $9,684; Bentonville and Rogers spend less, according to 2016-17 data.
“Look how much we spend per student. We are top dog there,” he said. “I’m not too sure how committed I am to an arms race with districts that are a lot bigger” and also qualify for federal money based on poverty and demographics. “On being competitive enough, I’ll ask the question I have in the past: Are we short on qualified applicants?”
The district hired more teachers than usual last year, Sullins said. It brought on 86 teachers, of which 19 were first-year teachers. This was a little higher than usual, board members seemed to agree, though they said this was not necessarily any indication of quality.
Colbert added they will need to fill about 28 positions in athletics and other areas.
Board member Megan Hurley said they can talk in generalities about whether the district is willing to settle for the fourth best teacher for a job because of salary, “but when it’s your child, it’s different.”
The board agreed at the end of the May work session to vote on the new budget tonight.
Ashton Eley can be reached by email at aeley@nwadg.com or Twitter @NWAAshton
