Some new teachers in the Phoenix area are getting a pay raise, but it comes at a price. The Washington Elementary School District is boosting starting teacher pay to nearly 40-grand a year.
Officials say in order to give teachers more money, they had to eliminate some jobs. The pay increase is about twice as much as what other schools districts in Arizona are offering.
The head honchos at WESD say they want to remain competitive with other schools districts, and they want to be able to keep good teachers in the classroom, not on the picket line.