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Santa Fe, N.M., School Board Mulls Salary Issues

Posted on: Friday, 5 August 2005, 18:00 CDT

Aug. 5--After raising wages for the Santa Fe school district's lowest-paid workers, the school board is trying to figure out how to adjust compensation for other workers as a matter of fairness.

The board this summer decided to boost pay for some custodians and cafeteria workers to at least $8.50 an hour this coming school year.

The new wage floor brings the school district in line with provisions of the city of Santa Fe's minimum-wage ordinance, even though public schools are exempt from the law.

However, board members and administrators at a study session Thursday indicated the district probably will have to wait at least another year to increase compensation for employees who already were making at least $8.50 an hour before the board instituted the new minimum wage.

Also unclear is how the district will treat part-time employees under its new wage policy.

Board members expressed a desire to pay every employee, including those working part time, the newly adjusted minimum wage. However, Superintendent Gloria Rendon said that since the district didn't budget for the higher wages, the decision is already having an impact on this year's spending plans.

As a result, employees who were making at least $8.50 an hour before the change -substitute teachers without a college degree, for example -earn only slightly more than the new minimum -- shouldn't expect to see a change in their salaries until the 2006-07 school year.

Board member Frank Montano was a member of the Santa Fe City Council when councilors began discussing the municipal minimum-wage requirement, which affects businesses with at least two dozen employees. While he acknowledged that adjusting the pay scale for school employees who were already making the minimum wage will be difficult, he said it can be done.

Martin Lujan, the board's president, said he understands the board might hear from employees who want their salaries adjusted immediately. But Lujan said he wants those workers to know their turn will come.

School officials said they still don't know exactly how much the new wage will cost the district or how many employees are affected by the change because collective bargaining between the district and unions is not finished and the school district has not filled all the jobs that might be affected.

Board member Carmichael Dominguez said that while he was pleased the new minimum wage is in place, he was disappointed that more information about the potential financial impact was not presented Thursday. Board members will have to wait until a mid-October meeting to find out how changes are affecting the district's budget.

SANTA FE PUBLIC SCHOOLS REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS:

--Thursday and Aug. 12: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Gonzales Elementary also is holding evening registration Wednesday, 4-8 p.m.

MIDDLE SCHOOLS:

--Wednesday and Thursday: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

CAPITAL HIGH SCHOOL:

--Seniors: Monday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

--Juniors: Tuesday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

--Sophomores: Wednesday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

--Freshmen: Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

--Make-up day: Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

SANTA FE HIGH SCHOOL :

--Seniors: Wednesday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

--Juniors: Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

--Sophomores: Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

--Freshmen: Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

--New students: Wednesday and Thursday, 1-4 p.m.

--Make-up day: Aug. 15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

--Freshman Jump-start: Aug. 17, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

--SER/SFPS Career Academy: By application only

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To see more of The Santa Fe New Mexican, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://ww.santafenewmexican.com.

Copyright (c) 2005, The Santa Fe New Mexican

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: The Santa Fe New Mexican

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