After two years since the passage of legisation to examine and potentially modify how teachers are paid in Washington, the Compensation Technical Working Group convened for the first time this week.

The Compensation Technical Working Group, a fifteen member group, was established in HB 2261 in 2009 and modified through HB 2776 in 2010.  The focus of the group is to examine the current enhanced salary allocation model (SAM) for teachers and compensation issues related to classified staff and administrators.

The Work Group is charged with recommending details of an enhanced model that aligns state expectations for educator development and certification with the compensation system and providing an implementation schedule.  The law requires the Work Group to make recommendations on several issues, including:

• How to reduce the number of tiers within the existing model
• How to account for labor market adjustments
• How to account for different geographic regions and recruiting/retention challenges
• The role of and type of bonuses available
• Ways to accomplish salary equalization
• Fiscal estimates for implementing recommendations

The Work Group faces a demanding schedule over the next 18-months. The recommendations and report of the Work Group are due to the Governor and Legislature by December 1, 2012.