Hawai'i 20th in teacher salaries

By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Education Writer

A new report from the National Education Association says Hawai'i's average teacher salary increased last school year, placing the state 20th out of 50 states and the District of Columbia in pay.

Teachers earned an average $44,464 in the 2002-2003 school year, according to the report from the national teachers' union, moving Hawai'i up one place from the 2001-2002 school year.

Teacher pay has been a sensitive topic in Hawai'i, with teachers alleging that the state's high cost of living deters new teachers from moving here or remaining in the profession. A separate survey released in January by Education Week, an education newspaper, put Hawai'i last in the nation in average teacher salaries when the cost of living is included.

While some have doubted that figure, many teachers say the perception about low pay in Hawai'i is a problem in recruiting.

This month, teachers agreed to a new contract with the state that will bring raises of between 4 percent and 11 percent, with most teachers getting about 7 percent. The state's chief labor negotiator, Ted Hong, said the state and teachers had different national salary figures during contract talks, but that the numbers were used only as reference in the negotiations.

"We've got a long way to go," said Danielle Lum, communications specialist with the Hawai'i State Teachers Association. "It's a wake-up call if we want to keep good teachers here."

The NEA's report placed California at the top of average teacher salaries last school year, which Lum said could increase competition for teachers, since the state is the closest to Hawai'i and has a similar climate.

The report also ranked states by spending per student, a controversial subject over the past year in Hawai'i. According to the NEA, Hawai'i spent $7,455 per student last school year, slightly more than the previous year but maintaining the same rank, 24th in the nation. The state Department of Education has said the state spent $8,374 per student last school year.

Meanwhile, a consultant's report for the Lingle administration estimated that, when education spending by all state departments was counted, Hawai'i spent $10,422 per student that year. The DOE does not contest the higher figure, but claims it should not be used in national comparisons, since spending by other states is not calculated the same way.

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8084.