Facts Show Even Poor Boards Could Top Up Salaries

Facts Show Even Poor Boards Could Top Up Salaries

“The facts from last year’s annual reports shows that even low decile Boards do have the money to top up teacher salaries like Burnside High where relativity problems have arisen,” Martin Cooney, spokesperson for the September 20 group said today. “Last week School Trustees Association Canterbury chairman Rob McDowell said most school boards had tight budgets and would be unable to top up. The facts show otherwise”

“MOE data collected from Boards show that low decile schools actually have about 20% more investments and cash in reserve per student than medium or high decile schools and their reserves are increasing rapidly,” said Mr Cooney. “Low decile schools had $1502 per student while higher decile ones had $1259 in 2001. In one year the low decile schools increased 11% from $1354 to $1502 per student.” [information from just released Ministry of Education Schools Report]

“Our group does not believe it should be the job of Boards to have to top up salaries of teachers but they plainly are capable of doing what Burnside High are promising. This is largely due to the influx of overseas students since 1999,” said Mr Cooney. “Teachers all around the country will be approaching their Boards for a top-up if the Government refuses to pay.”

“The School Trustees Association should be pressuring the Government to settle all the relativity problems for G1, G2 and Degree equivalent teachers asap ,” said Mr Cooney.

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