School Board Approves 3-Percent Salary Increase

By Beth O’Malley, The Sedalia Democrat, Sedalia, Mo.

Mar. 28–The Sedalia school board Monday approved a 3-percent salary increase and changes to the boundaries of Washington Elementary School. With the increase, the starting salary next school year for a first-year certified teacher will be $28,840, compared to $28,000 this year. Salaries for administrators and other staff members will also increase. With the raise, the base salary for Sedalia’s teachers has increased $4,840 since the 2002 to 2003 school year, said Darci McFail, president of the Sedalia Community Educator’s Association. The increases have helped the district become more competitive in recruiting teachers, Ms. McFail said. The school board held off on defining what extracurricular duties fall into certain pay categories. From salaries, the board turned to boundary changes. The board voted to move the Prestwick Farms subdivision from the Washington elementary district to Parkview. The developer of the subdivision, Russell Childers, requested the change last month. The district currently buses children from Washington to Parkview, unless their grade is full at Parkview, said Superintendent Doug Ebersold. The district will reconsider boundaries for elementary schools if voters approve a tax increase that will pay for construction to relieve overcrowding, Dr. Ebersold said. District officials considered a similar change last summer, but didn’t recommend it because of planning for construction, he told board members. Three board members, Mary Allee, Stan Bowlin and Scott Gardner, voted against the change. Mrs. Allee said she didn’t oppose the change, but wanted it considered with district-wide changes if the tax issue passes. Mr. Gardner said the change doesn’t really affect where students go, since students were already being bused from Washington to other schools. After regular business, the board met in closed session to discuss the leasing, purchase or sale of real estate and the hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting of employees. omalley@sedaliademocrat.com

—–

Copyright (c) 2006, The Sedalia Democrat, Sedalia, Mo.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

For information on republishing this content, contact us at (800) 661-2511 (U.S.), (213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-6515, or e-mail reprints@krtinfo.com.