GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education recently agreed to a $4 million increase in teacher compensation. The district stated that would amount to a 4.5% increase in salary for union members.

“This proposal is a historic investment in our educators,” said Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby in a press release. “We are committed to hiring and retaining the best educators. We believe this proposal is a critical step toward achieving that goal.”

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In fact, the average teacher salary for a Grand Rapids teacher in 2023-24 was $60,816, below the state average of $69,068. By comparison, the average salary of Godwin Heights Public Schools, also located in Kent County, was $79,216 in 2023-24.

This gap between the two districts comes even as Grand Rapids boasts more revenues than Godwin Heights. Grand Rapids received $21,449 per pupil in total general fund revenues in 2023-24 and Godwin Heights Public Schools had $18,536 per pupil.

In addition, Grand Rapids teachers complained about how their teachers’ contract had a rare twist in its teachers salary schedule.

The teachers’ contract has steps like every other school district in Michigan has except the Grand Rapids contract only has teachers go up a step in pay every three years. Just about every other contract in Michigan has yearly steps, where teachers get negotiated pay increases every year. However, in Grand Rapids, the step increases happen in the fourth year, the seventh year and the 10th year and on.

The Grand Rapids Education Association didn’t respond to an email seeking comment.