Teacher Salaries Just Keep On Climbing

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Despite downturn in economy teachers keep getting raises

THE FOLLOWING REPORT WAS ISSUED BY THE EMPIRE CENTER FOR NEW YORK STATE POLICY:

Professional payrolls continued expanding in New York State school districts outside New York City last year, according to data posted today on www.SeeThroughNY.net, the government transparency website sponsored by the Empire Center for New York State Policy. 

Total spending on teaching and administrative salaries by districts outside New York City increased 5 percent statewide to $14 billion--a $670 million annual increase--in the 2008-09 school year.  This included a 19 percent jump in the number of teachers and administrators making $100,000 or more.  An additional 5,022 school employees crossed the six-figure salary benchmark in 2008-09, raising the total number in that category to 32,064 from 27,042 in 2007-08.

 The 2008-09 database includes the gross pay of 262,088 teachers and administrators, 8,501 more than the 253,587 listed during the 2007-08 school year.  These numbers include tens of thousands of substitute teachers and other part-time employees. 

Not reflected in the data are costs of pensions, health insurance for employees and retirees, and other benefits. Employee salaries and benefits comprise about 70 percent of a typical school budget.