HARRISBURG — The president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association today said he wants teachers in public schools to consider a one-year pay freeze.

He made the comments in response to Gov. Tom Corbett’s call for school employees to consider a one-year pay freeze.

Jim Testerman released this statement:

“We hope to prevent a $1 billion cut in state education funding, but we also realize that tough economic times have hit many of our public school districts.

“We have serious concerns about some of Gov. Corbett’s proposals, but we want to do our part to ensure that our students’ education does not suffer as a result of the worst recession since the Depression.

“As part of his budget proposal, the governor requested that education employees accept a one-year pay freeze. The governor stated that this decision is ‘determined at a local level and arrived at by contract and collective bargaining.’ As president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, I concur.

“I encourage PSEA members to seriously consider this request.

“Today, I sent a letter to the presidents of all PSEA locals. I encouraged them to enter into discussions with their school boards about a pay freeze or other cost-saving measures to maintain class sizes and academic programs.

“PSEA calls on parents, caregivers, and community leaders to ask legislators to prevent the cuts to school funding. A pay freeze alone will not be enough to preserve the programs our students need to succeed in the future.”