How can states afford to raise teacher's salary?

Question

I'm not asking if they should be raised, I'm asking how. Lets assume the state in question has no leftover moeny, and has no debt. They break even every year. More money from the federal government? How?

Answer 1

States have a budget. The mayor's government decides the priorities each year. To make them possible they 1. lower expendings by eliminating programs or unneeded contracts; they 2. raise their income with taxes, stamps and all kind of revenue programs such as licenses and 3. they invest in agencies such as transportation and tourism that generate income.

Example: Review of the Financial Plan
of the City of New York
http://www.osc.state.ny.us/osdc/rpt8-2006.pdf

Reno City Budget
http://www.cityofreno.com/gov/budget/

Answer 2

Most states pay for the school system out of the personal property taxes. Each person who owns a home of their own pays a portion of the tax to the school fund. Businesses also pay into the fund. It's like every thing else that we sometimes think is free comes out of the tax payers pocket. The Federal Gov. helps, again with Federal Tax money collected every year by the IRS from the tax payers. In our state, the Federal Gov. pays so much each day - for each child. If the child is absent then they don't pay anything for that day. That is why it is important for kids to attend school unless they are sick. A lot of parents don't care and that is when the truant officer gets involved. Some parent have to be forced to get their kids to school. To get a teachers salary raised in our state is to go before the legislators. The state has a budget. If there is no money then there could be a possibility that they would have to raise our taxes. Yes it is called public school because it is funded by the public. Nothing is free. Free stuff is still being paid buy tax dollars. At least every child in America is required to attend school. Compared to the rest of the world that's phenomenal.

Answer 3

If raising local taxes is not possible, then the state government needs to reallocate monies to the schools. Cut back on frivolous spending, government waste, and embezzment (otherwise known as factfinding missions to Bahamas for state employees). Schools themselves can help by cutting out waste: 1. turn off lights in empty rooms 2. less copies made on Xerox machines. 3. cutting teacher meetings and professional days (all they usually do is sit around and talk about personal issues)
4. use students to do low key maintenance jobs around the school as detentions and save on custodial fees. You see where I'm going?

Answer 4

Imagine if states set up Regional Superintendents with 800 numbers. School principal could handle most of day to day stuff. Committee on School Boards big construction issues. Most school district have business manager for financial paperwork. Known one that has PR director. If every school district had extra hundred and fifty thousand, than how much could classroom teachers salary get raised.

Answer 5

Stop spending money on wars started by our Federal government, and instead put it towards education. Stop spending so much on Special Education - you can dream all you want that it is doing some good, but that isn't reality. Eliminate busing. Make'em walk, ride bicycles or get rides from parents. Or actually give the money that is raised by various Lottery programs to education like the voters intented.

Answer 6

JUST DO IT... Teachers practically "raise" children. They see more of the children than most of the parents. Think about it... 5 days at 8+ hours a week, thats like a full-time job. I spend more time with my co-workers at work than my live-in boyfriend or my friends... so HELL-YES raise their salaries...
As many un-adjusted children that are entering schools now-theres no way I would want to be a teacher.

Answer 7

If governments would eliminate corruption, pork belly projects, financial abuse, giving away unnecessary jobs, contracts and goods they could double teachers salaries. But they they would give all the teacher's jobs to their unqualified Friends and relatives. It's a catch 22.

Answer 8

they will usually try to raise taxes which the county's citzens have to vote on it and see if it passes which alot of older childless or children have left the home ..homeowners are solidly against well at least where i am from homeowners have to shell out extra property taxes and such and they get the feel that they are supporting a cause that has nothing to do with theirselves ....that's public schooling for ya....

Answer 9

they can aford to by revenue,football games,speeding tickets,taxes on fuel,etc.,but however by raising teachers salary it would make the elected official pocket empty so they dont want to give raises. so much for our government schools.

Answer 10

they can cut back in other categories, raise taxes, make the school system pay more, give less for books and other school items, etc.