Deery’s Teacher Pay Bill Clears Committee

A bill authored by State Sen. Spencer Deery (R-West Lafayette) to provide schools with new tools to better compensate their most valued teachers passed the Senate Committee on Education and Career Development Wednesday.

Current law allows schools to offer teachers supplemental pay in addition to their base salary under the school’s negotiated salary schedule, but such payments are rarely utilized. Senate Bill 249 seeks to change this by permitting school corporations to fund these supplemental paychecks before collective bargaining.

Additionally, the bill requires that at least 10% of routine teacher raises be based on the academic needs of students.

“Schools across Indiana face challenges in recruiting and retaining teachers in high-need subjects like special education, STEM, and English as a second language,” Deery said. “SB 249 would empower school administrators to offer higher salaries to educators who choose to work in these areas, which often experience teacher shortages.”

SB 249 now moves to the full Senate for further consideration.

Deery encourages residents of Senate District 23 to contact him with any questions or comments they may have. Deery can be reached by filling out a “Contact Me” form online at www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Deery or by phone at 800-382-9467.

Deery (R-West Lafayette) represents Senate District 23, which includes Fountain, Parke, Vermillion and Warren counties, and portions of Montgomery and Tippecanoe counties.