Teacher salary bill vetoed, salary raises remain

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The bill which the Fono passed during this session to amend the pay scale for the Department of Education has been vetoed by Lt Governor Talauega Eleasalo Ale.

However the pay raises which went into effect May 1st for teachers and July 1 forpersonnel on July 1st remains.

Talauega wrote the Fono leaders, “I have considered House Bill No. 37-11, “An ACT AMMENDING THE EXISTING PAY SCALE FOR PERSONNEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; AMENDING SECTIONS 16.1001 AND 16.1004 A.S.C.A” as passed by the Legislature. With respect and pursuant to Article II, Section 9 of the Revised Constitution of American Samoa, I am returning it to the House within 10 days of receiving the bill.

“The intent of this bill was to remove a potential inconsistency between the guidance provided by the Governor in General Memorandum 121-21 and A.S.C.A 16.1004. House Bill 37-11 goes far beyond the intent of the administrative request.”

The House and Senate had inserted in the administration bill the starting salaries of teachers as provided by the Department of Education.

The Lt Governor pointed out that “since A.S.C.A 16.1004 only addresses starting salaries based on credentials and experience of teachers without meaningfully addressing normal
step increases, the scale only creates minimum salaries.”

He pointed out that since the enactment of the law which codified teacher salaries (A.S.C.A 166.1004) there have been at least two broad pay adjustments that affected educators. “Therefore, the Government will continue to pay teachers according to the newly established pay rates based on General Memorandum 121-21 and the newly approved budget for FY 2022.”

Talauega made clear that the veto does not affect the pay increases for teachers.

“To clarify, I am vetoing this bill, but the pay increase for teachers of the Department of Education remains in effect pursuant to General Memorandum 121-21.” That’s the memo approving the May 1st salary increases for public school teachers.