One Michigan school district is giving its teachers a sizable raise.
It’s the same school district that recently announced it would have a new scholarship program offering full tuition to students in the district.
That district is Battle Creek Public Schools. According to a press release, teachers in the district will get an average increase of more than $10,000 to their salary for the 2023-24 school year. The move is due to an agreement between the district and the Battle Creek Education Association union. Earlier this month, Battle Creek Public Schools announced their Bearcat Advantage scholarship program, which gives full tuition coverage to students in the district. That money is thanks to the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
“We knew that this scholarship would not exist without the passion and commitment of BCPS teachers,” Kimberly Carter, BCPS superintendent said in a statement. “Teachers are the heart and soul of the district.” Anthony Pennock, president of BCEA, added, “Together, we know this agreement and significant increase will help attract new teachers to the district and support our current members while honoring the commitment they have made to all of our students.”
The district added that they hope their partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation will increase enrollment in their schools. More enrollment would help the district provide better pay to their staff, the district said in a press release. According to the National Education Association, the average starting salary for a teacher in Michigan is $38,963. That’s below the national average of $42,844. Now, thanks to the pay increase, starting pay for teachers in BCPS will go from $40,170 to $50,000, according to a press release.
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