A statement that might boost the starting salaries for Maine teachers to $40,000 is up for public hearing Wednesday.

Teachers from across the condition are traveling to get a bill called “An Act to Improve the Quality of Teachers”, LD 818 to the Augusta.

The average starting pay for teachers in Maine is $33,000 annually.

According to MEA, Maine ranks 41st inside the nation for starting salaries for teachers, and has the lowest starting pay in New England.

If the bill passes the increased starting salary would start for the school year 2018-2019.