Improvement will be even greater if districts provide full funding. This Committee has no wish to intrude upon the prerogative of local districts to determine salary priorities. However, if the State makes a major effort to improve the competitiveness of Delaware's districts in recruiting top-notch teaching candidates, it is reasonable to expect local districts to do their fair share. However, to this point the Committee has been unable to identify means whereby local districts can fully fund their share of starting salaries, other than the local referendum process, of course. Salary increases will be the same for both newly hired and experienced teachers in Years Two and Three.
Salary is also important as a means to retain excellent teachers.