Missouri’s education department wants to use the state’s $6B surplus to raise teacher pay

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The state’s education department estimates there are more than 3,000 positions in Missouri schools this year that have either been left vacant or filled by someone not qualified.

Following a teacher shortage crisis, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is requesting the General Assembly to use the state’s billion-dollar surplus to give educators a raise.

“Teachers do not work for the money, but they have to have a sustainable wage,” DESE Commissioner Margie Vandeven said. “No other industry would be satisfied if 50% of the profession was leaving within the first five years.”

The whole article can be read at ozarksfirst.com.