In an effort to attract more educators to the district, West Ottawa Public Schools has announced its raising the starting salary for first-year teachers in the district to $%0,000.
According to the district, would be the most any first year teacher makes in the state of Michigan; the closest being Ann Arbor Public Schools, a city known for its high cost of living, who pays its first year teachers $44k starting salary.
Considering the relatively lost cost of living in Ottawa County in comparison, the district says 50 grand can go a long way towards rent and bills.
In a statement, Superintendent Tim Bearden says the goal of the pay raise is to make West Ottawa “the best place to live and work in West Michigan.”
The salary comes as the lack of teachers is the single biggest challenge facing school districts across the state according to the Michigan Education Association.
Association President Paula Herbart:
“The educator shortage is having a daily impact on students and educators alike,” she said. “This is adding to already overwhelming pressure caused by meeting students’ academic, social and emotional needs.”
District officials say the pay raise in West Ottawa will begin starting this fall, and apply to all teachers with a bachelor’s degree.
