Utah Teachers Could See More Big Raises Next Year

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Utah teachers got a 25-hundred dollar salary boost from state lawmakers this year. But Governor Huntsman says that's not the end of raises for school teachers in the Beehive State:

"We're gonna have to do that again," says Huntsman. "I think we've got about a $5,000 deficit we're going to have to make up over the next few years to rival what our peer states are offering."

If the economy stays strong, Huntsman says more raises for teachers will be his top education priority for next year's budget. He also says he's looking closely at a recommendation by the K-16 Alliance to make schools year-round and offer flexible contracts for teachers who want to teach more than 180 days a year. Those are just a few of the Alliance's suggestions for dealing with the state's growing shortage of public school teachers.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom, Legislative Coverage, and 2007 Legislative Coverage. Copyright 2008 KCPW