Teacher pay boost on way?

BOISE (AP) — The head of Idaho’s Senate Education Committee said Wednesday a plan to boost teacher pay will be revealed soon, despite facing a bumpy delay that has jolted the anticipated piece of legislation.

Republican Sen. Dean Mortimer of Idaho Falls told the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee that he believes the bill is coming together but stakeholders are still figuring out key details.

Mortimer did not specify what have been the sources of contention.

The Senate Education Committee was expected last week to introduce the teacher pay bill —dubbed the “career ladder”— but Mortimer announced the bill had a technical difficulty and would be introduced later.

The goal —as defined and backed by Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter and other educational officials— is to increase beginning teacher pay from $31,750 to $40,000 over five years. The bill is expected to be introduced with rules that tighten teacher certification.

“I’m sure we won’t dodge it. There’s been a tremendous amount of discussion,” Mortimer said.

Mortimer shied away from telling budget writers how much the state’s education budget should increase.

However, he said after the meeting that he supports Otter’s recommendation to increase educational funds by 7.4 percent compared to last year.