The board unanimously passed a 3% pay raise for all employees at the July board meeting. The salary plans are for one year only and used for placement of new hires for the 2018-19 school year. Salary steps do not represent future salaries for returning teachers. First year teachers will receive $41,000 a year.

The salary compensation plan provides increases for bus drivers who will receive a $2 dollar per hour increase and cafeteria managers who will receive an increase that will better reflect the market pay, which will be more than the proposed 3% raise.

Other changes in the salary compensation plan include an increase in salary for certified degreed substitutes increasing to an additional $5 a day. A stipend was added for librarian/media specialists, which is a position that has more duties and expectations of including technology on campuses.

Superintendent Lynn Torres said, “Salary comprises 83% of the budget, and I’m proud that the board sees the need to compensate our teachers and staff with a 3% raise. We have the best teachers and staff who work diligently to make sure all of the needs of our students are met. Each and every one of them are so deserving.”

Charlotte Bynum, CFO, presented the salary compensation plan and an analysis of the 2018-2019 budget. The board will approve the final budget at the August board meeting.