The Nome Nugget

Senate Measure Raising Alaska Teacher
Salaries In Line with Dr. Norby Advice

JUNEAU, (AP) -- A bill backed by the Alaska Education Association to increase teachers' salaries by a total of $1,500,000 was introduced in the State Senate Tuesday.

Dr. Theo Norby, State Commissioner of Education, told the House Rules Committee meanwhile, that he thinks teachers' pay should be raised this year.

Norby didn't say how much. He declined to comment on the Senate bill or a House measure, pending from the last session, which provides generally smaller increases.

The measure would increase pay for starting teachers with bachelor's degrees from $4,600 to $5,200 per year. The annual experience increment would be increased from $175 to $250. The maximum, for teachers with nine years' experience and 20 graduate semester hours of education, would be $7,650.

Teachers with master's degrees would enter teaching at $5,700. A maximum of $8,700 would be reached after 12 years. The present maximum is $6,900.

The bill would increase superintendents' salaries by about $1,000 a year. Principals would get the $250 annual experience increment. They now receive $600 a year more than classroom teachers.

The minimums are figured for Southeast Alaska. Teachers would continue to get cost of living differentials of $400 per year in the south-central district, and $700 in the central and Northwestern districts.

Norby, appearing before the rules committee in its review of the interim appointments of Governor William Egan, said he hopes the state will soon stop certifying teachers without college degrees.

He was the last of the appointees to be heard by the committee before it reports to the Legislature on whether the appointments should be confirmed.