DeKalb school chief proposes raises for all district employees
From DeKalb Schools:
Today, DeKalb County School District Superintendent Michael Thurmond in a presentation to the DeKalb Board of Education recommended a three-tier salary increase that emphasizes significant salary increases for veteran teachers for FY2015-2016. The proposed increases include:
- 4 percent cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) for all veteran teachers with 6 or more years of experience
- 3 percent COLA increase to teachers with 0-5 years of experience; and,
- 2 percent COLA increase for all other employees.
The salary increase recommendations for teachers and employees will add an estimated $20 million to the district budget for FY2015-2016.
“The past several years have created difficult economic circumstances for our employees and their families,” said Superintendent Michael Thurmond. “Our highest budget priority is to increase salaries for our highly qualified veteran teachers.”
In addition, an analysis of the salary and pay scale for the lowest paid employees will be conducted.
“The DeKalb County Board of Education recognizes the hard work and dedication of our teachers and employees during trying times,” said Dr. Melvin Johnson, chair of the DeKalb County Board of Education. “We stand ready to work with Superintendent Thurmond on a budget that fairly compensates them for their good work.”
The district budgeting process for FY2015-2016 includes the following schedule:
- April 1 – Board of Education and public comment input
- May 4 – Proposed budget and revenue projections presented to the Board
- May 28 – Tentative budget published in The Champion
- June 1 – Board adopts tentative budget and has first millage rate hearing
- June 4 – Five-year millage rate history published in The Champion
- June 17 – Final budget adoption vote and 2nd and 3rd millage hearings
About the Author
Maureen Downey has written editorials and opinion pieces about local, state and federal education policy since the 1990s.
