CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – After just a few minutes of discussion Monday morning, the West Virginia House Finance Committee decided to suspend its rules and immediately pass H.B. 4765, which would give a pay raise to teachers, school personnel, and West Virginia State Police officers.
Del. Lori Dittman (R-Braxton), who serves on the Finance Committee and is also a teacher at Braxton County Middle School, said the fact that the committee fast-tracked the raise is a sign that it’s a priority.
“I think it means that this body is serious about giving a pay raise to teachers,” she told WSAZ. “Although it is a small pay raise, they are determined to try to move that forward.”
“We all know that teachers are largely underpaid for the job that they do,” Dittman continued. “But in addition to that, we are not competitive with states around us, and then we’re also not competitive with other jobs. And so if you want people who want to teach, but they have to have a certain level income to do that, you want to make the job attractive so they will choose education.”
The average raise allocated in the bill is three percent, as Gov. Patrick Morrisey previously announced. But leaders of the organizations representing teachers and WVSP officers say that isn’t enough.
“We’re never going to be unhappy with a pay raise. A pay raise is always great,” Lonnie Faircloth, president of the West Virginia Troopers Association, told WSAZ. “However, it doesn’t offset the cost of the PEIA increase that we’re also going to get with our families and our troopers this year.”
Dale Lee, co-President of Education West Virginia, the state’s teacher’s union, echoed both Faircloth and Dittman.
“It doesn’t make us competitive with the surrounding states as we should be,” he told WSAZ. “We’re 48th in the nation in pay and our surrounding states pay anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 more. And if they’re getting any raises, then we’re not being competitive with them.”
“I’m surprised that there wasn’t a possible amendment, because the House came out early and said they were looking at a five percent raise,” Lee continued. “But, you know, at least this gets it started and we’ll see where it goes from there.”
“There’s still 28 more days to,” he concluded. “We’re going to continue to advocate for the five percent.”
The bill will now advance to the House floor for a vote.
Morrisey also proposed a 3 precent pay raise for all state employees, which was factored into his budget. The pay raise for teachers, school personnel, and state troopers is separate because their income is part of state code, which must be amended by the Legislature.
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