Teacher performance-pay debate: Goedde says there’s ‘no funding source’
Sen. John Goedde, opening debate on SB 1110, the teacher performance pay bill, said it will reward teachers with bonuses for outstanding work, and let districts pay more to those in hard-to-fill positions. "Senators, we have an educator pay scale that's built in the 19th century," Goedde said. "It doesn't work, it doesn't recognize excellence."
Sen. Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum, said, "I'm having a hard time understanding how we're actually funding this. Where does the money actually come from?"
Goedde said the cost would be $38 million starting in fiscal year 2013, and "there is no funding source attached to this." In subsequent years, according to the bill, it would cost $51.3 million a year.