The Little Rock School District ranks 78th in required minimum starting teacher salaries ($32,793). Not in the world. Not the in the nation. But in Arkansas.
For those beginning with a Masters, Little Rock is 44th ($37,743).
Wrap your head around that. Forget competing nationally or internationally. The largest public school district in the state has chosen not to compete for the best and brightest in Arkansas.
And lest you think this disparity is confined to the Little Rock district, North Little Rock ranks 68th, while Pulaski Country Special is 99th.
And lest you think this disparity is confined to the Little Rock district, North Little Rock ranks 68th, while Pulaski Country Special is 99th.
Further supporting this apparent bias against new talent, those at the top of the BA schedule earn $54,941 a year, while those with a Masters and 15 years experience earn $54,139. That's $802 less for a higher degree. Talk about an incentive to stay average.
On the flip side, Little Rock ranks 10th in the state for teachers with the highest degree on top of the schedule ($63,290).
What does all this tell us? Recruit average talent. Reward them for longevity. Discourage professional development. Grow salary so high, teacher will never leave.
Yesterday (2.22.11), the Little Rock Education Association voted to perpetuate this system by approving a 1.5% across the board increase. The Board is expected to act on the proposal at the 5:30 p.m., Thursday, February 24th board meeting. If approved, the pay raise is retroactive.
A percentage increase will only continue the absurdity. What students in the Little Rock School District need is a board committed to the attraction of world-class talent, not retention of...the same. Members should figure out what a 1.5% across-the-board increase will cost the district, then give comparable lump-sum (not percentage) raises to new BA and MA teachers to at least get us into the state's top ten in all categories.
I can't believe I just wrote that. Get Little Rock into the top ten in Arkansas. How sad is that?
For the record, I believe Little Rock should be number one in all categories and setting our sights on national rankings, but only if in in pursuit of one of the six target areas of the strategic plan - "recruitment and retention of a high quality staff."
Across America, thousands of teachers are being laid off because of dramatic of budget shortfalls. Unfortunately, because of non-student first labor contracts, those with the least seniority are the first to go. Last in, first out, no matter their performance.
Because Arkansas is one of only three states in the union with a balanced budget, we have a once in a generation opportunity to recruit the best teachers from across the country. Let's seize it by making the Little Rock School District a magnet for creative, competitive talent.
In all things, we should ask: Who benefits from this? If the answer is the students, we should do it. If it isn't, we shouldn't.
I'll leave you with the salary breakdown for Little Rock and the highest in the state, Springdale (out of 239 school districts):
Little Rock
BA: 0 Years - 78th - $32,793
BA: 15 Years - 6th - $49,189
BA: Top of Schedule - 11th - $54,991
MA: 0 Years - 43rd - $37,743
MA: 15 Years - 8th - $54,139
MA: Top of Schedule - 10th - $63,883
Springdale
BA: 0 Years - 1st - $43,220
BA: 15 Years - 1st - $53,565
BA: Top of Schedule - 1st - $65,096
MA: 0 Years - 1st - $45,744
MA: 15 Years - 1st - $56,295
MA: Top of Schedule - 1st - $71,720
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