Iowa schools could offer beginning teachers a salary increase of up to $16,500 under a bill proposed by Gov. Kim Reynolds in a program estimated to cost $96 million in its first year.
The burgeoning salary could make a difference in attracting people to the profession as a nationwide teacher shortage continues to impact school districts across Iowa.
“Anything we can do to distinguish ourselves and give ourselves a competitive edge is a game changer. It gives us the ability to be more competitive nationally,” said Darius Ballard, chief human resource officer for the Cedar Rapids Community School District.
