NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Among news of spending cuts and difficult budget decisions came a silver lining: Tennessee teachers may get a pay raise in 2021.
Governor Bill Lee made the announcement about the hope for teacher pay raise Tuesday amid 2021 budget discussions. The governor said he hopes the money can be found to reward the teachers of the state.
"We certainly hope that there will be an opportunity for meaningful increases in teacher pay. We hope that happens,” said Gov. Lee.
Teachers have heard promises of pay raises recently. In 2020, there was supposed to be a statewide pay increase for teachers. That was before COVID-19.
Despite Gov. Lee asking for departments to cut 12-percent of their budgets, he said he's looking at projects to improve education in Tennessee.
“There will be reductions in programming and in infilled positions or vacancies and there are proposals for enhanced spending as well. So, there will be some balance of both,” he said.
Money for raises or any improvement will have to be determined by the state legislature.
