Tulsa Teachers To Receive Pay Increase

Tulsa teachers will receive a raise following a vote of the school board. The salary increase averages to 1.5 percent or around $600 annually, according to a release from TPS and the Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association.

Board members signed a new agreement with TCTA that includes the one-step increase.

“Tulsa teachers are so deserving of a pay increase, and I really wish we could do more,” said Deborah A. Gist, superintendent. 

“The financial constraints are so severe given current state funding levels that this is the best we can do at this time. I am thankful to the team for their hard work, and I am hopeful we will be able to do more in the future.”  

The agreement is the result of several meetings with that reportedly left both parties pleased. 

The district also agreed to reopen negotiations in January 2016 if there is the possibility of additional funding, according to TCTA President Patti Ferguson-Palmer.

Administrators, non-certified employees and support staff also received a 1.5 percent increase. Support staff will get the raise if they have been at TPS for a certain number of years (15, 20 or 25). 

Employees above the adjusted salary range maximum will receive 50 percent of that, according to Chris Payne with Tulsa Public Schools.

Starting pay for bus drivers was raised to $11.21 an hour.

"This is important because the recruiting environment for bus drivers is highly competitive, and we have had a shortage of drivers," Payne said.