Board seeks better longevity pay plan
Posted on Wednesday, May 7, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/decatur/News/2477/
DECATUR ó School board members voted at the April 21 meeting to approve a new technology plan that will be in effect from June 2009 through June 2012.
The plan calls for nine types of new equipment to be purchased in the 2009 - 2010 school year, including three smartboards, nine workstations, three laptops and 18 DVD / VCR combos.
According to the plan, new software for math, science, physical education, music and literacy will be selected in 2009 and implemented in the 2010 -2011 school year. Professional development courses are also outlined for each year.
ì Technologically speaking, our campus is in excellent condition, î Superintendent Dave Smith said. He said the plan could be changed and revised as needed in the future.
In other business, school board members voted to renew an agreement with the city of Decatur for the schoolís use of the Veteranís Park baseball and softball fields. The cityís fee for using the ball fields was raised from $ 680 to $ 850.
School board members also voted to accept next yearís school calendar, with no major changes from this year.
A district longevity plan that would add two more steps to the teacher incentive pay scale was rejected because of the need for more clarification.
The longevity plan, proposed by the certified personnel policy committee, would give teachers who served 20 years a $ 1, 750 stipend, and teachers who served 25 years a $ 2, 500 stipend. Five teachers would be affected by the plan.
School board member Vicky Tilley-Moore suggested that more research needed to be done. Board members raised questions about how competitive the longevity plan was with area school districts, how it will impact the district in the future as more teachers reach the 20 and 25 year mark and if the district can afford the increase.
The board voted to accept a proposal from the classified personnel policy committee to give first year employees one week of vacation time instead of the two weeks they currently receive.
A proposal that would allow new classified employees to bring a maximum of ten years of directly related experience from an accredited school district, and a maximum of seven years from the private sector was rejected. The current proposal allows them to bring 25 years of experience. The board discussed the proposal at great length. Board members expressed their concern that it would block the school from hiring experienced employees, but understood that employees who have been with the Decatur school district for some time may be frustrated when new employees start higher on the pay scale. Board members agreed the proposal needed to be modified.
ì Maybe theyíll come back with something more creative when they understand our concerns, î School board member Vicki Tilley-Moore said.
Elementary principal Leslie Sharp reported that the elementary school was finally able to hold Positive Discipline for A to Z on April 10, after having to cancel the event twice because of bad weather.
She said the school hosted an open house for alumni on April 19, and was planning a book fair for Thursday, May 1.
Middle school principal Gary Taylor reported that students had finished testing, and that the band played for the alumni banquet on April 19. He told board members a band concert is planned for Tuesday, May 13, and a field trip to the movies is planned for May 9 as a reward for students.
High school principal Bobby King told board members that students had a good time at prom, held April 19. He reported that graduation is May 16 and that students were going to continue testing the week of April 21 through 25.