An act of change: Bay County School Board takes step toward teacher salary increase
Editor's note: This story and its headlines have been revised to correctly characterize what step the board took on Tuesday. Part of a quote from Superintendent Mark McQueen was removed because it was not connected to this issue. Also, the school board has influence on teacher pay. The original version of the story misstated that.
PANAMA CITY — The Bay County School Board on Tuesday approved a plan to distribute $1.9 million in state money that was allocated to raise teacher pay for the 2023-24 school year.
The board approval on Tuesday is one part of ongoing contract negotiations with the teachers union (the Association of Bay County Educators.) Once negotiations are completed, the board will vote on a tentative contract that eventually will go to union members for consideration and a vote.
Officials pointed out the significance of veteran teachers benefiting from the plan approved Tuesday.
"We are very grateful that the union saw the wisdom in this distribution," said Mark McQueen, Bay County District Schools superintendent.
After the state provided money to increase beginning teacher pay, new teachers in Bay County were making the same salary as teachers who were in their 17th year.
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"(This approval) is reflective of the extraordinary work, talent and experience of our employees. When the first round was done with the governor to increase teacher salary, it created a lot of compression," McQueen said. "Whether you had zero teaching experience or 17 years of teaching experience, you were paid exactly the same, which did not make sense because we were not acknowledging our great educators."
One board member seemed disappointed that veteran teachers aren't receiving more.
"Teachers should be making more than a $600 raise, and I feel very strongly about that," said Winston Chester, Bay County School Board District 4 member. "They have dedicated their lives to 25 years working with young people."
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Bay County School Board advances effort to boost teacher pay
