Superintendent: Department to recommend raise for Alabama teachers

Alabama Department of Education superintendent says he will propose raising teacher salaries over the next three years.

Superintendent Tommy Bice said Thursday the department would recommend raising teachers’ salaries 5 percent in fiscal year 2017, which begins next October.

The state government will have the final word on public school spending next year. According to the department, the raise would cost $160 million.

Bice said he would seek further raises in 2018 and 2019, with the goal of bringing teacher salaries in line with inflation.

Alabama teachers with a bachelor’s degree start at $36,867 a year. A master’s degree bumps that starting salary to $42,395.

Since 2008, educators have received one salary increase, which was a 2 percent raise in 2013.

Republished with permission of The Associated Press.