Guv’s Plan Cuts Teacher Pay 6.5%

Gov. Butch Otter’s plan for spending stimulus money calls for still cutting 5 percent from statewide personnel costs for all agencies funded by the state general fund, his budget director, Wayne Hammon, just told lawmakers - and, in response to a question from Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, he said that does apply to public schools. “Yes, it does include public schools - that would be in addition to the list submitted to you by the superintendent,” Hammon said. State schools Supt. Tom Luna’s proposed $62 million in cuts for schools next year already includes the equivalent of a 1.5 percent pay cut for teachers and other educators - eliminating funding equal to three contract days of pay. The governor’s proposal would add the 5 percent cut in personnel cuts on top of that/ Betsy Russell , Eye On Boise. More here .

Question: Given the times, is a 6.5% pay cut proposed for Idaho’s public school teachers reasonable?