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S.C. legislators may halt teacher stipend program
February 04, 2010
S.C. legislators may halt teacher stipend program
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina would scrap incentive pay for teachers earning a prestigious national certification under a cost-cutting measure given initial approval by legislators.
A House Ways and Means subcommittee voted Tuesday to halt the $7,500 annual stipend for teachers earning national board certification, limiting it to those already in the system.
South Carolina would suspend new loans that pay upfront application fees for teachers entering the process and not pay stipends for teachers renewing their certificate for 10 more years.
The director of the Palmetto State Teachers Association said Wednesday she fears phasing out the program will cause many of the best teachers to move into administration to earn more money. But Kathy Maness said she realizes the state is in a budget crunch.
