SPS teachers paid on low end of scale statewide

Springfield Public Schools teachers are paid an average 2013-14 salary of $45,788, the eighth-lowest among nine districts sampled statewide.

The data is part of Superintendent John Jungmann’s Nov. 11 entry plan report, part of which compares SPS to other districts regionally and across the state.

Of the nine Missouri districts examined, teachers in the Ferguson-Florissant area earned the highest average salary, at $59,131. State comparable districts by teacher salary:

• Ferguson-Florissant: $59,131
• Hazelwood: $53,140
• Independence: $52,132
• North Kansas City: $51,478
• Kansas City: $49,325
• St. Louis: $49,105
• Columbia: $48,517
• Springfield: $45,788
• St. Joseph: $44,150

Locally, SPS teachers fared better, ranking No. 2 among the eight other districts examined. No. 1 is Nixa, where teachers earn on average $46,407, but average compensation at the top five districts is separated by roughly $1,000. Regional comparable districts by teacher salary:

• Nixa: $46,407
• Springfield: $45,788
• Branson: $45,573
• Ozark: $45,425
• Republic: $45,275
• Willard: $43,980
• Strafford: $40,113
• Lebanon: $40,082
• Logan-Rogersville: $39,323

Administrators at SPS earn an average salary of $81,500, according to the report, the seventh-lowest in the area and the lowest among comparable districts statewide.