Jackson teachers to get raise next year

Jackson teachers will receive a 3 percent raise next school year, the school board decided unanimously Tuesday.

"It's a very balanced schedule, and improves salaries in all aspects," superintendent Dr. Ron Anderson told the board.

Beginning teachers will be paid $32,000, an increase of $1,000. Before the increase, the district already had one of the highest beginning teacher salaries in the region, beating 12 surrounding districts.

Minutes from a May 29 salary committee meeting of the Community Teachers' Association show some teachers raised concerns "over continuing to raise the base salary," as opposed to larger increases for tenured staff.

In contrast, while Cape Girardeau teachers will see an overall increase in pay of about 2 percent next year, beginning salaries were only raised $220 there, for a total of $29,370.

Anderson said Jackson must raise the bottom end of the salary schedule to remain competitive. "When a beginning teacher comes in, we want to hire the best individual available," he said.

A teacher at the highest end of the scale, based on years of experience and completion of graduate level coursework, will receive $54,198.

Along with the salary increases, secondary teachers who substitute during their prep hour will be paid $10 an hour, and increase of $2. Anderson said the district always tries to find substitutes but relies on its own staff if a teacher is only out for an hour or two. Salary committee minutes show elementary teachers would like the same compensation method applied to them.

Secondary teachers will have added responsibilities next year, as the school day will be extended up to 20 extra minutes at the high school and junior high to accommodate changing bus schedules. The time will be used for an "advisory" period, with tutoring, sustained reading and counseling available.

"The teachers will be an intermediate-type advocate. Even with counselors, this gives students a closer touch to help," Anderson said.

The board barely made quorum Tuesday, as members Cathy Goodman, Dr. T. Wayne Lewis and Bruce Thomas were reportedly on vacation.

Besides approving the salary schedule, the board awarded bids to Interstate Brands for bread products; Prairie Farms for milk and dairy products; MFA Oil Co. for grease, oil, transmission fluid and antifreeze; Ozarko for tires; and MFA Super for gas and diesel fuel.

Milk is increasing 2 to 3 cents a carton, and bread is increasing 8 to 10 cents per item, according to Jeff Bollinger, director of operations. Anderson said after the meeting that the district is considering raising lunch prices next year, and will bring a proposal before the board next month.

Fuel costs will be six cents over the wholesale price, based on a weekly average. Anderson said budgeting for transportation is "very difficult to do" because prices have risen faster than most people expected. He said the district uses about 100,000 gallons of fuel a year for its fleet of buses.

"Along with transportation, we are studying how all systems function. For example, we're looking at thermostats, checking night settings. We're really scrutinizing everything," Anderson said.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

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