Teacher raises concerns about annual increases from Jordan School District

WEST JORDAN, Utah (KUTV) — Teachers in the Jordan School District have expressed concern over their pay for the upcoming school year, claiming that the district is undermining their raises by relying on state funding while other districts offer higher increases.

Herriman High School teacher Kelli Nielsen said the district's planned cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for the year amounts to only $50 for teachers.

District officials said the plan for raises has not yet been finalized.

A district spokeswoman told 2News an overall increase (if voted on and approved), could range between $5,125 and $6,000. A majority of the increase – around $4,200 – was expected to come from state funds allocated by lawmakers.

State Rep. Candice Pierucci, who sponsored the bill to increase teacher pay, has also expressed concerns about the Jordan School District's proposal.

Pierucci claimed the bulk of the increase was coming from funds set aside by the state and argued that other districts are offering more.

"The Jordan District's proposed raise of 0.1 percent falls significantly short,” she said.

Alpine District told 2News they are considering a 2 percent COLA increase, while the Granite District was pushing for a 2.5 percent cost-of-living-adjustment.

Pierucci emphasized that the Jordan District's proposed raise seems to be an outlier compared to what teachers anticipated.

In response to these concerns, the Jordan School District Board of Education released a statement stating that they have increased teacher pay by 67 percent since 2016.

"Teacher compensation has been a priority in Jordan School District for years. As a result, starting teacher pay increased from $34,339 in 2016 to $57,330 in 2023. That is a 67 percent increase over eight years,” the district said in a statement. “The Board of Education has not held a final vote on the 2023-24 tentative teacher pay raise agreement, which would increase teacher salaries between $5,125 and $6,000. Compensation increases for classified staff like bus drivers, custodians, and lunch staff was a priority this year due to the important work they do supporting teachers in the classroom and due to staffing shortages. The legislature also intended WPU money increases be spent on raising salaries for classified staff."

A district spokeswoman added, "the total (proposed) increase is 7 percent.”

2News asked Rep. Pierucci if she felt the Jordan School District's proposed raise followed the law passed during the legislative session. She responded saying she questions whether or not it's in compliance.

"If they can honestly say, without House Bill 215 passing, they would have just given teachers a 0.1 percent cost of living increase and $875 increase, then they can defend that and they can justify that,” she said.