Teachers get raises

The Blue Springs Board of Education approved the salary proposal for the 2008-09 school year Monday.

The proposal would increase the base teacher’s salary from $33,500 to $34,000 next year. The highest step on the district’s salary schedule would increase 3.07 percent to $67,021 in the fall.

The school board also heard a report from Assistant Superintendent Jim Finley about proposed legislation in the statehouse that would have a “devastating” effect on the district.

Finley said if Missouri passes the “The Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights,” known as TABOR, it would put a financial squeeze on education.

“It limits growth in state revenue, based on a formula,” he said, following the meeting.

If passed, the measure would constitutionally limit increases in state revenue to population growth plus the consumer price index. Finley said the general impact of TABOR  s it would limit needed spending. 

“It would make it difficult to keep up with current costs and prevent development of programs and services that might be needed in the future.”

He added it also would be difficult to meet state and federal education mandates.