Proposed retention bonuses help teachers
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A new proposal in North Dakota would give public schoolteachers an annual bonus in an effort to keep more educators in the classroom.
The Support Teachers and Youth Succeed stipend would initially give eligible teachers about $3,400 a year.
Landen Schmeichel, a social studies teacher at Legacy High School in Bismarck, said teachers are struggling to make ends meet. While he said the proposed bonus is not life-changing, he thinks it could work toward helping educators like him stay in the profession.
“Currently, my daycare expenses are three times the price of my mortgage. I have a graduate’s degree and I live paycheck to paycheck. $3,500 isn’t the lottery but it’s a step in the right direction,” Schmeichel said.
The proposal comes as North Dakota continues to face severe teacher shortages, with state officials announcing a critical scarcity across every subject and grade level this school year.
A statewide Department of Public Instruction survey found 80% of residents believe teachers are underpaid, with teacher pay, recruitment and retention among top education concerns. North Dakota ranks 41st in the nation for teacher pay, with educators facing an estimated 20% wage gap.
Nick Archuleta, president of the educator and public employee union North Dakota United, said the bonus is meant to help retain experienced teachers while the state continues working on broader school funding.
“North Dakota’s teachers are fabulous educators. They inspire kids every day. They help little miracles happen all around the state in every classroom. But keeping them in the profession has been difficult when you consider that they make less than similarly educated and experienced professionals,” Archuleta said.
The stipend would be funded with 10% of the state’s biennial distribution from the Common Schools Trust Fund. Payments would be available statewide to eligible licensed teachers and would not count toward their retirement benefits.
Archuleta noted the bonus would be an addition to increases in per-pupil funding, not a replacement. The bill will be considered when the Legislature convenes in January.