BROSELEY — Different schools in different districts are known to be competitive with each other in sports and other extra-curricular activities, but an increasing area of concern is remaining competitive for faculty.
During the regular session of the Twin Rivers School Board meeting Thursday night, Superintendent Rob Brown recommended the board take action to improve teacher pay and benefits, but to not go too far before the end of the current legislative session in Jefferson City.
“I think we should be patient and see what will happen in the next 45 days before the session ends,” Brown counseled the board. “There are some bills that might pass, and if they do, could affect what we need to do.”
The issue stems from a desire within the board to raise teacher pay. Brown went on to explain it as doing what is necessary to remain competitive to attract and retain the best possible teachers for the district.
“We want to show that we’re at least making a good-faith effort to improve the pay and move towards a higher level,” Brown said during the meeting. “But, we need to be sure about how it is that we will do the things that need to be done.”
One such issue Brown highlighted is Missouri HB 1447, which calls for an increase to the minimum starting pay for teachers as well as the minimum pay for faculty with a master’s degree.
“It’s getting more difficult to attract new teachers,” Brown noted. “And as more schools make the decision to go to four days a week, we have to keep things like that in mind along with the pay.”
According to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, an average of 43% of teachers leave after having taught for three years in a district. And according to the Missouri National education Association, Missouri ranks 50th out of 50 states in starting teacher pay, and it ranks 47th out of 50 in average teacher pay.
“We’re aware of the struggles facing school districts everywhere, and we aren’t immune to those same concerns,” Brown noted. “We want to give a significant raise to our staff; but we also need to be cautious.”
One reason, explained by Brown, is funding for the future.
“There is a grant that we could access that would enable us to pay the increase for everyone without dipping deep into our general revenue,” Brown explained. “But my concern about that is: when we have a new governor, or the political climate changes, what if that funding is no longer available? What will we do then? Because we would either have to expect faculty to take pay-cuts — which isn’t practical at all — or assume a very substantial expenditure from the general revenue.”
Brown also noted a current bill in Jefferson City could also affect property taxes, which could impact school funding. The nature of the bill would call for an accelerated timeline of depreciation for personal property for up to 10 years, after which time the property owner would become exempt.
“I think we need to make a decision regarding salary and move forward with that, but I also think we need to exercise some caution,” Brown explained to the board. “I think we should see what happens before this legislative session ends in 45 days or so, and then we’ll hopefully have a better idea of which direction we’re headed.”
The school board decided to pass a slight increase in pay for both certified and non-certified staff. The board also granted an increase in the board-paid insurance cap for the health savings account offered to faculty and staff.
“I’m glad that the board agreed to increase the insurance cap,” Brown noted. We have to continually stay on top of salaries and insurance, and I think this board has shown they’re very aware and they want to take care of the faculty that we have.”
During executive session, the board rehired non-tenured teachers and made determinations on all extra-curricular sponsors. The board also approved the substitute teacher list.