An Idaho House committee has ushered in a roughly $215 million plan to boost teacher pay over the next five years with the hope of attracting and retaining the state's instructors.
Members on the House Education Committee unanimously approved the proposed legislation Wednesday after getting a sneak peak last week to read the 33-page bill.
Under the plan, rookie teacher pay would bump up from $31,750 a year to $32,200 a year. By 2020, new teachers would be paid $37,000 a year.
After three years, teachers would automatically move up to the second tier, but would need to hit certain benchmarks to receive the higher pay.
The first year of the plan, which would begin fiscal year 2016, is estimated to cost taxpayers $31.9 million.
