For Immediate Release Contact: Ken Brostron/ 314-621 2939

Pay Parity For SLPS Teachers

(November 9, 2004) – The St. Louis Board of Education is proposing a Pay Parity plan for SLPS teachers with teachers of five quality suburban districts. These districts were selected because of their reputations of providing high quality learning environments, high academic achievement and appropriate pay for quality teachers.

The goal of this proposal is to index St. Louis Public Schools (“SLPS”) teachers’ salaries to the salaries of these strong performing districts in St. Louis County (Clayton, Lindbergh, Parkway, Rockwood and Webster Groves). The Board will raise SLPS teachers’ salaries to meet the average teachers’ salaries for these five districts. Salary increases will be over the next four years (2004-05; 2005-06; 2006-07 and 2007-08).

The Board will also provide a $500.00 payment to paraprofessionals and clerical personnel in December 2004. In addition, the Board will commission a wage study for such positions for the 2005-06 and 2006-07 fiscal years. In addition to the teachers’ salary increases, the Board requires the following beginning July 1, 2005:

1. An increase in the work day from the SLPS 6.5 hour day to a 7.5 hour day. A 7.5 hour day is the average work day in these five districts. This will add instructional time for children.

2 An increase in the number of work days from 180 to 190 days. A 190 work year is the average for these five districts. This will add time for instructional and professional development for teachers.

3. An increase in additional education of teachers. The salary schedule will include incentives for SLPS teachers by adding BA+15 and MA+15 salary steps.

This Pay Parity plan will provide increased compensation for our teachers. More importantly, it will increase quality instructional time for our students as well as increase professional development days for our teachers.