By RFD Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – Governor Bruce Rauner is weighing the impact of legislation that would require higher minimum teacher salaries.
When it comes to the impact of legislation that would eventually require a starting salary of $40,000, Rauner says size of the district matters.
“I am a strong advocate for getting teachers more pay. I want the best teachers in America and we have many in Illinois already, I want to get them well paid,” said Rauner. “That said, we need to make sure that we don’t crush small communities that have very limited resources.”
Rauner believes the state can help school districts fund the higher salaries without spending a dime.
“Stop mandating curriculum, stop mandating how schools are run. Let teachers teach, let principals lead, and lets get the cost structure off our schools that Springfield brings and that will free up money that we can pay our teachers more too,” Rauner said.
The legislation was sent to the Governor last week.
In Unit 5, the school board and teachers union ratified a two-year contract earlier this year that raises entry level pay, although it remains below what’s offered in District 87.
Base pay for Unit 5 teachers climbed to $37,000 in the first year, and rises to $37,600 the second year, up from current starting pay in Unit 5 of $34,614.
