OKLAHOMA CITY – The House Appropriations Education Subcommittee passed a bill this week that would give teachers late in their career the opportunity to earn more money.
House Bill 1087, by House Education Chairman Dick Lowe, would extend the teacher salary schedule through year 35 of service, where it currently caps out at year 25. The legislation aims to encourage teachers who are eligible for retirement yet still in their prime working age to continue to teach.
“We know we have a statewide teacher shortage, and we have thousands of great teachers in the classroom we would like to continue to teach past 25 years of service. But currently, there is no financial incentive to do so,” said Lowe, R-Amber. “This legislation extends our teacher salary schedule through year 35 with built in step raises so teachers who stay will be financially compensated for their continued service.”
Right now, a teacher could start his or her career at the age of 22 and reach 25 years of service as early as 47 years old. This legislation would encourage career teachers to stay in the classroom at a time where experienced teachers are needed more than ever.
“Many teachers are retiring in their early 50s and going to work in the private sector or for private schools so they can continue to increase their earnings during the last years of their career,” said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. “We should be rewarding those career teachers who choose to stay in the classroom and they should continue to see salary increases until they are ready to retire. This legislation should directly help address our state’s teacher shortage and keep more quality teachers in the classroom longer.”
House Bill 1087 unanimously passed out of the House Appropriations Education Subcommittee today and will next be considered by the full Appropriations and Budget Committee.
