Teachers: average benefits up 9 percent in two years
By Jill Denning Gackle, BHG News Service
Pay hikes for teachers grew in the single digits over the past years. If the governor has his way there will be more pay increases tied to students’ successes. Salary increases and benefit packages for area teachers increased an average of 9 percent in the past two years, according to recently released data from the state Department of Public Instruction. An analysis of 22 area school districts found the average base salary, without benefits, was $35,873. The statewide average base salary was $40,284, 11 percent more than the area average. The same schools have an average compensation of $50,997, while statewide the average compensation was $55,405, 8 percent more than the 22 area schools. Beulah has the highest average base salary this school year with $43,779, while Goodrich had the lowest at $30,035. Base salaries of the 22 schools increased an average of 5.5 percent between the 2007-2008 school year and the 2009-2010 school year, according to the the state survey.
