Michigan Education Association’s UniServ Director Tim Russ says there are two issues that need addressing. First, the Grand Rapids Public School district is not doing enough to retain certified instructors.
“The last several years, the district has been unable to fill all their vacancies and they’ve been using unqualified subs to cover many of the classrooms, and we think it’s time for that to end.”
But GRPS Director of Communications Luke Stier says teacher staffing has improved over the past year.
“We have half the number of teacher vacancies today that we did one year ago. Ninety-five percent of our teachers who were with us at the end of last school year came back to start this school year.”
Secondly, Russ points out GRPS teachers receive the lowest pay in Kent County, ranking 20th out of 20 districts.
“Over the last couple years, they’ve increased their fund balance by $40 million over their last two audited financial statements, and so it’s time for them to make sure their putting their money into instruction.”
Stier says the district’s predicted general fund balance for this year is $28 million, and $14 million for next year. Its latest offer to the Grand Rapids Education Association, representing over 1500 district professionals, includes a 4.5% salary increase.
“It also includes raising the rate for a starting teacher, a first-year teacher, to 10% above the statewide average according to the NEA’s numbers.”
According to the National Education Association, the average starting salary for a Michigan teacher is just over $41,600. At GRPS, it’s almost $45,000.
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