State Democrats propose bills aimed at attracting, retaining teachers

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin Democrats are introducing a series of bills aimed at attracting and retaining teachers in the Badger State.

The proposals would offer salary raises and other incentives in hopes to avoid a growing trend of teachers from leaving the profession.

Teachers who stay at the same district for five years would get recurring $7-thousand bonuses under one bill.

Another would raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour for student teachers. 

Democrats say the measures are designed to address the staffing crisis plaguing our K-12 schools.

"I believe the bills we are introducing today are the bare minimum we have to do in order to restore the teaching profession and begin turning around the troubling enrollment trends we are seeing," said State Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee). 

The bills come as lawmakers are looking to wrap up their work for the year by March.

Republican leaders are unlikely to support these measures or schedule them for a vote by next month.