Officials of the state’s two teachers’ unions already have said that they plan to seek major salary boosts when legislators gather for their regular session later this month. Undoubtedly, what the unions want is beyond the Legislature’s ability to grant.
But some lawmakers are suggesting creative methods other than big salary increases to keep teachers from leaving the state for greener pastures elsewhere. One, Del. Larry Williams, D-Preston, thinks tax breaks may be a good idea.
Williams has said that teachers in some areas where there already are shortages — mathematics, science, special education and foreign languages — should be exempted from paying state income taxes. Williams says he will introduce a bill to that effect during the regular session.
In considering Williams’ suggestion, lawmakers will — as they should — bear in mind that revenue forgone is as much an expense as revenue spent through the state budget. A dollar less collected in income taxes has much the same effect as a dollar paid out in higher salaries.
Still, Williams is to be commended for attempting to think outside of the pay raise box. Again, creativity in making teachers’ benefits more attractive is essential if West Virginia is to have enough educators.
Other ideas, including several proposed by a task force established by the state Department of Education, also need to be considered by legislators and Gov. Joe Manchin. Our approach to attracting and keeping public school teachers needs to be both creative and multi-faceted — not merely focused on the impossible-to-meet challenge of competing in the 50-state salary race.