Arkansas governor signs bill raising minimum teacher pay

Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaks after his victory was announced at his election night rally Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Little Rock, Ark.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaks after his victory was announced at his election night rally Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Little Rock, Ark.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has signed into a law a measure that will raise the minimum for teacher salaries in the state by $4,000 over the next four years.

Hutchinson on Monday signed the bill to raise the minimum starting salary in 168 of the state's 235 school districts beginning in the 2019-2020 school year. The remaining districts are already paying the minimum salary requirements laid out in the legislation.

"This is an important day for Arkansas teachers, who will start their career at a salary that better reflects the importance of the job and our respect for their role in the lives of our children," Hutchinson said. "It's also an important day for our state as we signal yet again that Arkansas is a great place to live, to work, and to teach school. This will allow us to retain our homegrown teachers and attract talented teachers from other states."

The new law will raise the minimum teacher salary districts must pay to $36,000 by the 2022-2023 school year, which is the highest among surrounding states.

Hutchinson has called for setting aside $60 million for districts to comply with the new minimum salary requirement.

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