Last week, Gov. Doug Ducey announced his plan to give teachers the 20 percent raise they demand, amid the looming threat of a strike.
The governor said he wants the Legislature to approve a 9 percent raise next school year, along with gradual, annual raises that would add up to a 20 percent pay increase by the 2020 school year. According to Ducey, the projected average teacher salary would be $58,130.
His proposal came after teachers staged walk-ins across Arizona, where they called attention to their demands and then walked in to schools to teach. Organizers with the group Arizona Educators United said they may announce a walk-out if their requests go ignored.
The governor said he plans to work with state lawmakers on a final budget in the coming days. He's also meeting with education officials like Pima County Superintendent of Schools Dustin Williams.
Prior to the governor's announcement, Williams told Lorraine Rivera about some of the funding challenges districts currently face and solutions the legislature should consider.
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