Lower pay hike for NJ teachers – Study

The latest income statistics reveals the average salary hike for the state teachers stands at its lowest. Experts feel that poor economic growth is responsible for the lower salary raises. Reeling affects of cuts in school aids and caps on property taxes by further 2 percent are also held equally responsible.

The first round study of 2011-12 teacher contracts, conducted by New Jersey School Boards Association State, established that on an average, a teacher will get a 3.19 percent hike this year, against last year’s 3.47 percent.

A 3.19 percent hike consists of last year’s contracts and tax limits enforced by Gov. Chris Christie, previously this year.

Association’s spokesman Frank Belluscio also stressed on the issue that as more contacts get implemented in the future, this percentage of 3.19 could also decline further.

More than 170 contracts settled since Jan 2010
The association looks thoroughly into 176 contracts settled starting from January 2010. The study confirmed that as more and more contracts were signed, pay raises were reduced more and more.

Now as for the 2011-2012 school year, the raise is expected to be 2.66 percent for those contracts settled since Jan. 1, 2010, while for those settled after July 1, 2010, an average increase of 2.21 percent is expected.

The data substantiates the findings that contracts settled since Jan. 1 2011 got raises worth 2.12 percent; and as of April 1 2011, got 2.10 percent.

208 pending contract settlements
Belluscio said, "As the recession has dragged on, the impact has been felt… This is the lowest in history since we’ve been calculating contract settlements."

Belluscio also added that in 208 districts, the contract consultations are still going on and have not been settled finally. The number of unsettled contracts is definitely higher this year, he said.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Christie said the raises are indicative of economic instabilities which local governments are continually facing. Defending Governor Christie’s property tax caps, he said the cap is meant to check higher spending and control rates.