FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lance Gideon, Press Secretary
Lance.Gideon@iga.in.gov
317-234-9221
STATEHOUSE (Feb. 11, 2025) — A bill authored by State Sen. Spencer Deery (R-West Lafayette) to provide schools with new tools to better compensate teachers in high-need areas passed the Senate today by a vote of 39-10.
State law currently allows schools to offer teachers supplemental pay along with their base salary under the district's negotiated salary schedule. However, these payments are rarely utilized.
Senate Bill 249 would change this by allowing schools to fund these supplemental paychecks before collective bargaining.
Additionally, the bill requires that at least 10% of routine teacher raises are based on the academic needs of students.
"SB 249 would give district administrators tools to offer higher salaries to educators who choose to work in high-need subjects like special education, STEM and English as a second language," Deery said. "This bill would allow districts to recruit and retain quality teachers who prepare students for their futures."
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
Deery encourages residents of Senate District 23 to contact him with any questions or comments they may have. Deery can be reached by filling out a "Contact Me" form online at www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Deery or by phone at 800-382-9467.
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To track SB 249 and other legislation Deery is authoring, click here.
State Sen. Spencer Deery (R-West Lafayette) represents Senate District 23,
which includes Fountain, Parke, Vermillion and Warren counties,
and portions of Montgomery and Tippecanoe counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
