There's some positive news for North Dakota teachers. According to a recent Department of Public Instruction report, teacher salaries have risen more than $4,000 over three years.
The report lists salary data on 210 school districts, including the minimum and maximum base pay rates for each district, compensation for extra work—such as coaching—and school expenditures on teacher fringe benefits.
In the 2001 school year, the state average salary was $32,233, well below the 2000-2001 U.S. average of $42,898. The state's average salary also includes $1,191 for extra work; such payments are common in North Dakota's schools.
During the current school year, the amount has risen to $36,326—a 12.7 percent rise. The figures did not include the Jamestown school district due to a delay in salary negotiations there.
Grand Forks had the highest average salary of $41,843. When fringe benefits were included, Fargo ranked at the top with an average of $56,331. Grand Forks fell to ninth in the same listing.
The report says 3,674 teachers, working in 20 school systems, are being paid the average salary or better during the current school year. The 3,782 teachers in the remaining 190 districts are receiving salaries lower than the average.
—Rosie Cataldo
