Mead Defends Educational Consultant
Governor Matt Mead yesterday defended the expenditure of state funds on a consultant to advise the legislature on compensation for the state’s educators. Some of the advice is being questioned by legislators as it would spell less money for school districts like Teton County’s where the cost of living is higher than elsewhere. The joint education committee has adopted the so-called “hedonic formula” recommended by the consultant for the funding bill that will be considered by this year’s legislature. That formula suggests that the attributes of an area will attract candidates for teaching positions regardless of the salary offered. Education leaders argue that without financial incentive, districts will be unable to retain a high-quality teaching staff.
