BISMARCK -- School officials would rather have more money in per-pupil payments than in another teacher pay boost, an organization representing them told a Senate committee Wednesday.
The state raises passed in the Legislature two years ago should continue, said Larry Klundt of the North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders. "(But) the 2003 Legislature should not appropriate any further funds into this program and, if they find 'new' money, it all should be put into foundation aid."
Foundation aid is the state's per-pupil payments to schools.
Senate Bill 2154 contains Gov. John Hoeven's proposed $1,500 teacher compensation raise, along with a small increase in foundation aid. Hoeven wants to add to the $3,000 in teachers' raises approved by the 2001 Legislature.
The bill was heard in the Senate Education Committee.
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Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple made the case for Hoeven and the teachers while recognizing the state's tight financial situation this year.
"Welcome to the challenge of your life, believe me, as you go into this bill," he said. Dalrymple is a former legislator and House Appropriations chairman.
Two years ago, facing a universal recognition that North Dakota teachers are among the lowest-paid teachers in the country, the Legislature made history by appropriating state money to their salaries. Until then, the school boards decided how much to pay their teachers.
We can't stop now, Dalrymple said. There are shortages of teachers for certain subjects and "signs of trouble" there could be increasing problems finding teachers, he said.
"We need to make sure in the next 10 years to hire people we want to hire and not just whoever's available."
Dalrymple said the proposed state-paid teacher pay represents about 10 percent of the state's total spending on public schools for the next two years.
"We're still a long way from where we need to be," he said. "I believe 10 percent is certainly not overdoing it."
Dan Huffman, assistant superintendent for Fargo Public Schools, said in written testimony that school districts believe teacher salaries should increase, but schools also have other costs that have to be met.
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If the teacher salary bill passes as is, he said, "our school district would see a substantial decrease in our foundation aid payment."
Huffman is concerned the school district can't find other ways to make up the decrease.
Klundt said the proposed increases in per-pupil payments are too small. His group is made up of school superintendents and other administrators.
The bill calls for an $83 increase, to $2,430, this year and $2,528 the second year of the biennium. Klundt's group wants a $353 increase the first year, to $2,700, and $3,000 the second year.
That would cost $108 million over two years, he said, adding a 1-cent increase in the sales tax would garner $80 million a year.
The committee took no immediate action.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Janell Cole at (701) 224-0830
