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West Virginia Senate Approves Small Pay Raise for Teachers
By: Associated Press
Posted on:
Update 3:17 p.m.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – West Virginia’s Senate has approved a bill to give teachers annual pay raises of 1 percent over a five-year period.
The bill passed on a 33-0 vote Friday after a lengthy discussion. One senator was absent.
The bill, which amounts to raises of about $400 per year for teachers starting July 1, now heads to the House of Delegates.
Berkeley County Republican John Unger on Friday called the bill “an insult” to teachers.
A day earlier, Senate Republicans cited fiscal concerns in rejecting attempts by Democrats to make the pay increase larger in the first year.
Teachers from Logan, Mingo and Wyoming counties held a one-day walkout to attend a Capitol rally and witness the vote.
According to the National Education Association, West Virginia teachers earn an average salary of $45,622, which ranks 48th among the states.
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This story corrects the length of the raises to five years, not four.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – Hundreds of teachers are seeking pay raises and better health benefits at a rally at the West Virginia state Capitol.
Teachers from Logan, Mingo and Wyoming counties held a one-day walkout to attend the rally Friday in Charleston. West Virginia Education Association President Dale Lee says teachers from other counties where classes were canceled due to snow also are expected to attend.
A Senate vote is scheduled Friday on a bill to give teachers annual pay raises of 1 percent, or about $400, over four years.
According to the National Education Association, West Virginia teachers earn an average salary of $45,622, which ranks 48th among the states.
In addition, Gov. Jim Justice has proposed reducing public employee insurance premiums for families with two state incomes. Some teachers say the current system is too costly.