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W.Va. Senate passes $837 extra raise for teachers

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Teachers across West Virginia are one step closer to getting a pay raise, though it may not be as much as they had hoped.

The Senate on Wednesday passed an amended version of Senate Bill 391, legislation proposed by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin to give pay increases to public school teachers and school service personnel. Tomblin suggested a 2 percent raise for teachers in his January State of the State Address, but the Senate Education Committee earlier this month changed the bill to allow for a $1,000 pay increase. The committee also inserted language calling for teachers’ starting salaries to reach $43,000 by 2019.

But the Senate Finance Committee, citing budget concerns, amended the bill to restore the governor’s original 2 percent proposal. When the bill went to the Senate floor, it was changed again to give teachers an $837 annual raise. That’s on top of incremental yearly raises already built into their contracts.

Dale Lee, executive director of the West Virginia Education Association, said he’s pleased with the bill overall.

“I like the $1,000 amount better, but certainly in tough economic times I recognize the action here,” Lee said.

The version that passed the Senate will cost the state about $34.2 million. The $837 increase means first-year teachers will make $32,512 annually. Supporters of the bill said the aim is to put West Virginia teacher salaries on par with that of other states to attract bright, young teachers to the area…

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