The Alabama state legislature today approved an education budget and a teacher pay raise. Conference committees approved the measures Thursday afternoon and Governor Robert Bentley has indicated his support. Assuming he signs the legislation, teachers and other educators making less than $75,000 per year, plus all principals and assistant principals, will get a four percent raise in fiscal 2017. Teachers and other educators making more than $75,000 will get a two percent bump.
The $6.3 billion education budget is Alabama’s largest since 2008. Bentley released a statement praising that fact and more.
Some context: Alabama’s school spending per student has dropped more than most other states’ since the recession. Legislators also cut a small bonus for retired educators from the new budget.