Teachers' merit pay likely to be delayed

Education leaders are slowly losing faith that teachers will see any of a $20 million, merit-pay package approved by the 2008 Legislature.

In preparation for looming budget cuts, the State Board of Education plans next Tuesday to consider a delay in distributing the money.

"We have $20 million. Only the Legislature can decide to cut it," said Larry Shumway, deputy superintendent at the State Office of Education.

The average merit pay for an educator in a participating district or charter school could be about $500, according to state education officials.

While cuts are becoming common in the current economic climate, teachers are likely to be disappointed if their merit pay doesn't come through, said Utah Education Association spokesman Mike Kelley.

"We've got teachers who have been participating in what they thought would be a compensation plan and working toward what they thought would be a bonus," Kelley said. "There are teachers who have been counting on it."

While they would appreciate a monetary reward, most teachers love their jobs regardless of the pay, said Sandi Barber, who instructs gifted and talented classes at Orchard Elementary School in West Valley City.

"I did not come into teaching with the idea I was going to become rich," Barber said. "I came in with the idea that I would make a difference in people's lives. Every teacher I know is about that."

State education leaders and legislators agreed last month it was a good idea to hold off on distributing the one-time, performance-based compensation package. However, in order for the delay to occur, the board will need to amend its rule requiring the money be disbursed by Dec. 1, setting an end-of-school-year payment schedule.

While the date has already passed, board vice chairman Mark Cluff, who is also on the board's finance committee, said many budget issues weren't known until the legislator's public education appropriations subcommittee met last month.

Participation in the one-time merit pay program was voluntary. A total of 88 districts and charter schools submitted plans which were approved by the state board last summer. Some teacher-merit plans included principals and classified personnel.

The board voted to approve a budget cutting recommendation during its Nov. 7 meeting. The $74 million reduction included the $20 million, merit-pay package.