COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A Senate Committee will consider this week whether to restore a small annual raise for most teachers delayed because of budget uncertainties due to COVID-19.
The House earlier this month unanimously approved a proposal to give teachers “step raises,” which are increases of several hundred dollars a year teachers get for each year of service.
The resolution is scheduled for a hearing Tuesday afternoon in the Senate Finance Committee. If approved, the raises would be given in a lump sum by June 15.
All signs say it should easily pass. The full Senate approved paying the step raises during a special session in September, but the House did not take up the resolution at the time.
The House suspended the raises at the start of this school year because they were worried what the COVID-19 pandemic would do to state finances, but leaders promised they would review their decision in January with more time to see the impact the virus had on the economy.
Representatives voted unanimously to restore the raises this session when it appeared tax collections wouldn’t fall too far.
Step raises for next school year and any other possible increases in teacher pay will be taken up in the full state budget which the House will consider over the next month or so.
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