The Georgia budget amendment for the 2019-20 fiscal year increased teacher salaries in public schools, according to Atlanta Journal-Constitution. This means that KSU education majors planning to teach in Georgia could earn more money than in years past. While this change is a step in the right direction, the plan to implement it is far from perfect.
The increase in salary will help KSU education majors in paying off loans and affording necessities while pursuing their future careers. It is indisputable that teachers deserve a pay raise. These individuals are responsible for molding the minds of tomorrow, and they are not adequately compensated for their service.
The starting salary for teachers under the tier one category earned an annual salary of $32,217 during the 2017-18 school year, according to the Georgia Department of Education. The starting salary for the 2019-20 school year increased by $3,000, meaning teacher salaries started at $35,217. This is progress that should certainly be praised.
“A pay increase is definitely needed,” junior secondary English major Sarah Ott said. “We are no longer going to be like, ‘this is what I want to do, but how am I going to be able to pay my bills?'”
However, this change should be ensured for everyone before any celebrations commence. The legislation surrounding the pay raise needs to be amended in order for these benefits to be secure for KSU alumni.
KSU students about to earn their education degrees can receive the new pay raise, depending on the Georgia school district. According to NPR, Dekalb County, Cobb County and Atlanta Public Schools have increased their teacher salaries so far. This is not the case for all Georgia districts.
Even though the budget amendment increasing teacher’s salaries is moving towards progress, the distribution of funds to cover the increase in salary needs improvement.
The increase in salary requires school districts to use their funding to cover the cost, According to NPR. This has, in turn, resulted in certain districts making budget cuts or increasing property taxes. This indicates that school districts would have to use available funds, or delay the pay raise until the district can cover the cost.
If the Quality Basic Education formula — which shows how state, federal, and local funds are calculated for Georgia school districts, according to the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute — is changed to equally distribute funds to cover the cost, then all Georgia teachers including KSU alumni would receive the salary raise. Changes in legislation would continue the increase in salary for teachers.
The Georgia budget amendment to raise teacher salaries in Georgia has the potential to benefit KSU education majors, but the plan to implement this pay raise still needs improvement. The state government should take the necessary steps to ensure all of Georgia’s teachers receive the raise they deserve.
