COLOMBIA, SC (AP) – A Senate Committee will consider this week whether it will restore a small annual increase for most backward teachers due to budgetary uncertainties due to COVID-19.
The Chamber earlier this month unanimously approved a proposal to give teachers “gradual increases”, which are increases of several hundred dollars a year that teachers receive for each year of service.
The resolution is scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday afternoon at the Senate Finance Committee. If approved, the increases would be made in a single installment by June 15.
All the signs say it must pass easily. The Senate floor approved payment of the stage increases during an extraordinary session in September, but the House did not approve the resolution at the time.
The Chamber suspended the increases earlier this year because it was concerned about what the pandemic COVID-19 would do to state finances, but leaders promised they would review their decision in January with more time to see the virus’s impact on the economy.
The deputies voted unanimously to restore the increases in this session, when it seemed that the tax collection would not fall much.
Gradual increases for the next school year and any other possible increases in teacher pay will be included in the total state budget that the Chamber will consider next month or later.