Teacher Raises and Class Size Reduction Gain Approval

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Utah's public school teachers could find themselves with smaller classes and higher salaries next year. A House committee advanced a measure to bypass local school district authority and invest 100-million dollars directly into teacher pay.

Lawmakers say they are tired of being criticized for Utah's low teacher salaries and don't want to risk school districts spending the money on other programs. The proposal will give every teacher and one-time bonus of a thousand dollars and increase salary ranges by $2,500 across the board.

Lawmakers also advanced a measure to spend an additional 30-million dollars a year on reducing the number of students in kindergarten through third grade classes. Both bills will need approval of the full House and Senate, as well as the legislature's budget committee.

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