When they met Monday, members of the Leavenworth Board of Education approved the school district’s 2010-2011 budget as well as a contract agreement with the local teachers union.
Board members also voted to increase the money spent on salaries for returning administrators and other district employees.
One person who won’t receive a pay raise as a result Monday’s board action is Superintendent Kelly Harris.
A raise for the superintendent had appeared on the agenda. But Harris said she asked to have the matter removed from the agenda.
The budget was approved following a public hearing. No one from the audience asked to speak during the public hearing. And there was no discussion about the budget among board members.
The $67.5 million budget will keep the district’s mill levy flat, according to Kevin Gullett, chief financial officer.
The budget was approved with a vote of 6-1 with board member Danny Zeck voting against it.
The negotiated agreement reached between the school board and the teachers union, Leavenworth National Education Association, will allow teachers to receive pay raises ranging from 1.4 to 2.5 percent, according to Harris.
The agreement was approved with a vote of 6-1 with Zeck voting against it.
Board members approved a 2-percent increase to the salary pool for returning administrators. Individual pay raises for administrators will be determined by the superintendent, according to board president John Chapman.
“It’s based on their performance,” board member Donna Brown said.
The increase for the administrators’ pay was approved with a vote of 5-2 with board members Loyal Torkelson sand Nancy Klemp voting against it.
Board members also approved a 2.1-percent increase to the pay pool for classified employees. Classified employees include custodians and secretaries.
A motion initially was made for a 2-percent increase, but board member John Pretz asked to increase it to 2.1 percent.
Pretz said the past school year was an unsettling year and classified employees have done a hero’s job of clearing out buildings as some schools have closed and others have been under construction. He said classified employees also exhibit a team spirit.
“These people are mission driven,” he said.
The 2.1-percent increase was unanimously approved.
