Proposed Pay Increases

Historic Investment in MNPS Proposed
Posted on 04/29/2021
McMurray Math Teacher

Metro Investment Would Give MNPS Best Teacher Pay in State

MNPS would soon be best in state for teacher pay in Tennessee through a record-setting investment of new funds in Nashville’s public schools proposed today by Mayor John Cooper. 

Every teacher will get a salary increase under the plan, with the average increase of nearly $7,000, based on years of experience and degrees. The plan overhauls the salary schedule for MNPS’s certificated staff to make our teachers the best-paid in the state at every level. Math teacher at whiteboard

Great teachers are the most critical factor in achieving better academic outcomes for the students who count on MNPS to prepare them for college, careers, and life.

“A city on the rise must give everyone the opportunity to rise with it. Opportunity starts with education, and an excellent education starts with well-funded schools,” Mayor Cooper said. “We owe it to every child to make investments that match their potential.”

Mayor Cooper announced in his State of Metro Address that his 2021-22 operating budget proposal includes an $81 million increase for Metro Schools, which would be the largest one-year increase the district has ever received.

“Throughout my career at MNPS, I’ve never seen such a strong commitment and support from a Mayor for our public schools and the teaching profession,” Director of Schools Dr. Adrienne Battle said. “Mayor Cooper’s proposed record investment will allow the district to retain and recruit great teachers who want to make a difference in the lives and academic success of students and who simply want their compensation to reflect the value they bring to our city and the residents who call Nashville home.”

The pay plan also includes a step increase for all eligible MNPS employees, and support staff and certificated administrators will receive a 2% cost-of-living adjustment.

The Mayor’s Office and the Nashville Public Education Foundation commissioned a teacher compensation study in 2020 by Education Resource Strategies, a national nonprofit organization. MNPS staff provided data and interviews to inform the work, which was initially paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic and necessary budget cuts.

The existing pay structure’s flaws have put many experienced teachers at a disadvantage. The proposed new structure will show that MNPS and the city value service and experience, and teachers shouldn’t see a need to seek higher-paying positions outside the classroom.

In addition to improving the pay structure to retain and recruit great teachers, Mayor Cooper has fully funded MNPS’s continuity of operations budget – the amount of money that is required to maintain our current level of services – as well as a $2.5 million investment in social-emotional learning programs, specifically advocacy centers and care specialists, who help students to better process their emotions and learn to find non-violent, constructive ways to deal with frustrations and challenges in school and in life.

The Metro Council will consider Mayor Cooper’s budget proposal over the next two months, with the 2021-22 budget year starting on July 1.

 

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