HISD approves pay raise for teachers

(6/25/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- The Houston Independent School District board has decided to give teachers more money. The board voted to approve a 5.7% raise for teachers -- that means a first-year teacher with a bachelor's degree will earn almost $43,000.

Watching the school board in action, veteran teacher Sharron Jones-Phillips can't wait for the passage of a promised pay raise.

She said, "I can do so much with that pay raise, with enriching my kids in the classroom. It's a fantastic idea."

"The average teacher salary increase is 5.7%," explained HISD Superintendent Dr. Abe Saavedra. "At the low end is 3%, the high end is 12%."

When all is done, the beginning salary for a first year teacher will be $42,745. Compared to national averages of other careers, it's still on the lower end for college graduates.

• Marketing graduate - $41,285
• First year HISD teacher - $42,745
• Civil engineering graduate - $47,750
• Computer science graduate - $52,177
• Chemical engineering graduate - $59,707
  Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers

The Houston Federation of Teachers says this is a good first step.

"There's still some work to be done, but this is definitely a step in the right direction," said Zeph Campo with the Houston Federation of Teachers. "If we can get the word out and get the budget passed, I think it will help in keeping those teachers in the classroom."

As for the teachers themselves, they say it will be a good morale boost, even if their salaries still lag behind those in corporate America.

Teacher Suzanne Silvinsky said, "They're showing that they're committed and that they care. And I think that gives everybody just a little morale boost to keep them... You know, the people that want to teach are going to teach, and they'll always be there."

The board approved the change at their meeting Monday afternoon.

See how teachers' salaries in Texas compare with those in other states.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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