Trustees okay teacher raises

Fairfield Independent School District board of trustees approved raises last week of $1,000 each for all teachers, a step toward bringing salaries up to the state average.

In addition, trustees boosted pay for paraprofessional teacher aides who also hold teaching certificates by $1,000 a year and added a step on salary schedules for administrators and teachers.

FISD teachers have been paid more than state minimums, but less than the state average, and trustees started a discussion a few months back on bringing salaries up to the average.

The step taken last week is toward getting equal with average pay for teachers in Class AAA districts over three years.

"Due to finances, you are going to have to chip away at it," superintendent Katie Ryan says. "A $1,000 raise is a positive step, yet also fiscally responsible."

Cost of the salary increases is roughly estimated at $250,000.

The district, however, may get some assistance funding the pay raises through federal stimulus money.

The state legislature approved use of federal stimulus money for teacher raises of $870 per year. The FISD superintendent says the governor has signed off on the legislative action and it is now awaiting federal approval.

Stimulus money would be helpful for the district, but not necessary.

"If we don't get any fed- eral money I feel confident we can cover this with local funds," Ms. Ryan says.

Under the salary plan approved by trustees, beginning teachers on 12- month contracts would be paid $36,552 with a bachelor's degree, $37,552 with a master's degree and $38,052 for a doctorate.

Pay increases every year through 24 years of experience under the FISD schedule—-top teacher salary levels are $60,213 for a bachelor's degree, $61,213 for a master's and $61,713 for a doctorate.

The school board added the 23rd pay step to the schedule to give longtime teachers, who had been stalled, a raise.

Administrators also receive a $1,000 annual raise and a 24th step on the salary schedule is added by trustees.

Ms. Ryan reports that paraprofessional teacher aides in FISD already are paid more than the state average and the board opted not to make any changes in that salary schedule.

Benefits provided employees by the district are $225 per month for health insurance, a $25,000 life insurance policy and $600 annually toward a tax sheltered annuity plan.

Stipends paid to staff for additional duties, such as vocational coordinators, coaches, band directors and University Interscholastic League academic coaches, are unchanged.

Trustees spent the first couple of hours of their meeting last week setting district goals in a state mandated board training session.

Four areas of attention in setting district goals, to make FISD a "STAR" district, are students, teachers, administration and relationships as a community.

Board members developed goals for each of four "STAR" categories, and started formulating a plan to address those areas at each campus.

The school board will hold a called meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the administration building to accept resignations and hire staff members.