Idaho Teacher Pay Bill Headed to Governor’s Desk

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Rookie teachers in Idaho will receive pay raises starting July 1 under a $125 million proposal headed to the governor's desk for his signature.

The Idaho Senate unanimously approved the measure Thursday, where senators offered only praise that the 30-page bill had survived both chambers after seeing prior proposals flounder this legislative session. The plan would raise salaries for beginning teachers by almost $1,000 to $32,700 in July. Over the next five years, first-year teacher pay would increase to $37,000 per year.

However, the proposal depends on state revenue increasing 5.2 percent each year in order to fully fund it. Republican Sen. Dean Cameron from Rupert says while the bill isn't perfect, it does set Idaho on the right track to attracting and retaining teachers in Idaho.