Holcomb talks of need for teacher raises; names compensation commission

The commission, previously mentioned in Holcomb’s State of the State address, will study ways to permanently solve the issue of teacher pay that lags behind neighboring states.

For Holcomb, the issue is part of the overall agenda of developing a workforce knowledgeable in skills of the future, position the state to attract new business and become a more attractive place for people to relocate to.

“We have to do more to increase teacher pay throughout the state of Indiana for public schools,” Holcomb said. “The linchpin to a great workforce is a great education from great teachers.”

Holcomb’s budget recommendations call for 2 percent raises for teachers annually this year and next year, and plans to use state funds to pay off $140 million in pension liabilities that would free up school system money to go toward raises. So far, the legislature has been debating a bill put forward by Rep. Dale DeVon, R-Granger, which would implement targets for school districts to cap operational spending at 15 percent of the revenue received by the state.