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Highlands Today

Staffing A School District Takes Salaries Big And Small

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By MARC VALERO

Highlands Today

Published: February 23, 2009

SEBRING - Businesses and governments looking to trim expenses during this economic downturn have cut jobs because salaries and benefits typically represent the largest cost of doing business.

Such is the case for the School Board of Highlands County, with salaries (65.5 percent) and benefits (19 percent) comprising 84.5 percent of the general fund expenses in the 2008-09 budget.

Compared to the 2007-08 budget, the current budget cut the following positions: 30 classroom teachers, 11.5 resource/deans and other teachers, 15.65 school non-instructional positions and 14.6 district administrators and non-instructional positions.

Two school administration positions were added - principal and assistant principal positions at Memorial Elementary School, which opened this school year.

Despite the cuts in the current budget, with reduced funding due to a drop in student enrollment and with anticipated state funding cuts, more cost cutting measures are being examined.

The district is considering a schedule change at middle and high schools that would cut 29 additional teaching positions to save $1.67 million.

Also, a pay cut for all employees is among the numerous cost-cutting suggestions. A 1 percent pay cut would save about $650,000.

Salaries Summarized

With salaries and positions being a key point of discussion and debate, we look at who earns what working for the School Board of Highlands County.

The district's salary breakdown is: 71 percent teachers, 22 percent support personnel and 7 percent administrators.

Teachers' Pay

With a bachelor's degree teachers earn: $34,000 in their first year, $36,000 in their fifth year and $54,000 after 12 or more years.

Teachers with a master's, specialist or doctorate earn an additional $2,200, $2,500, $3,800, respectively, each year.

School board employees who coach, direct or sponsor extra-curricular activities earn annual supplements such as: head football coach - $5,600, weight lifting head coach - $1,750, middle school band director - $1,400 and elementary student government advisor - $350.

A particular middle school teacher, with three years of experience, is earning $34,500 for a 196-day work schedule.

Teacher and support staff salaries are typically negotiated each year during separate bargaining sessions with the school district.

Support Workers Pay

School support employees whose positions fall under collective bargaining are paid on a salary schedule with 12 pay grades with zero to 16 years of service.

Food and nutrition general workers and the custodian I position are in the lowest pay grade, which starts at $8.32 per hour and goes up to $12.50 per hour after 16 years. Food and nutrition workers work 4 to 7-hour days for 10 months and the custodian I position works either 11 or 12 months.

Bus drivers are near the middle of the pay scale, starting at $10.62 per hour and earning $15.93 per hour after 16 years. Bus drivers work on average 4.5 to 5 hours a day for 10 months.

At the top of the support pay grades are mechanic V, management information systems (MIS) data operations tech III and MIS technician V, who earn a starting hourly wage of $13.56 and up to $20.36 per hour with 16 or more years of experience. All of these positions work 12 months.

The length of the work day is listed as "varies" under each job category in the support union contract.

A particular paraprofessional, with an associate of arts degree with 16 years of experience, is earning $19,671 for a 185-day work schedule.

A particular custodian, with seven years of experience, is earning $19,606 for a 260-day work schedule. The position requires a high school diploma or GED.

Administrative Pay

The superintendent's salary, as an elected official, is established by use of figures provided by the state and based on the population of the county.

The district's administrative salary schedule lists base salaries for each administrative position.

Administrators earn an additional 1 percent per year for administrative experience, up to 16 years.

Some administrators are eligible for an annual performance-based-pay supplement of $750 or $1,000.

Also, principals can earn $1,000 per year for mentoring a new principal.

Highlands Today reporter Marc Valero can be reached at 386-5826 or mvalero@highlandstoday.com

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