Bill Riley Vigo County educators are optimistic that the new state budget, which significantly increases K-12 funding, will mean improved teacher salaries in upcoming years. Yet, they remain concerned about expanded funding for private school vouchers. Over the next two years, the state will provide about $1.9 billion in new K-12 education dollars, with a $1.03 billion or 9.1% increase in the tuition support formula for schools. State leaders say the increase addresses the $600 million teacher pay gap identified in last year’s Teacher Compensation Report. The budget, set to be approved today by legislators, also recommends schools set starting salaries at $40,000 a year for their first-year teachers and requires them to dedicate at least 45% of tuition support dollars to teacher pay.