Board members argue for classified pay raises, stipends

I apologize,” tenBerge said, appearing to speak to the classified staff as a whole. “I hope this helps them out some but that we also do a concerted effort to do better.”

— Huntsville school board member Connie tenBerge

The classified staff at Huntsville School District will receive an average of a six percent pay increase next school year but no back pay after the Huntsville School Board approved the raises during the board’s regular April meeting on Monday. 

The approval was unanimous, but not without lengthy discussion on whether or not the raises were enough, especially for some positions. The average increase is $1,270 per person, said Superintendent Jonathan Warren. The proposed salary increase brings all personnel to a $13 per hour minimum.

At least one board member expressed frustration with the proposal, saying that after two years of discussion, the certified staff deserved more. Board member Connie tenBerge specifically mentioned paraprofessionals who get extra certifications and the disparity between district-level administrative assistants and building-level administrative assistants. 

“We’re losing some good paras because they are not feeling rewarded,” she said. “We need to make people feel appreciated for their extra training.” 

tenBerge also expressed frustration at the fact the board has discussed getting to the point where the district can offer raises to classified staff, but no board work session took place to look at numbers and discuss what’s possible. She also noted that the process seemed rushed after having asked for increases for several months.

“We’ve waited so long for this,” she said. “I wish we could have had a work meeting and talked through this stuff,” she said. 

Warren explained the rationale for the raises, including the lack of backpay. If backpay were awarded for this year, it would be almost $400,000 in additional funds and an additional $400,000 next year, he said. 

“In processing a salary schedule increase for the Huntsville Classified Staff, we looked at two goals. We wanted to ensure that the changes would be sustainable. We also wanted to create a way where there were increases across the board but with some targeted increases. With that in mind, the adjustments to the salary schedule will attain these goals,” according to his letter to the board. “Sustainability: The increases have to be sustained over multiple years. If the increases cannot be sustained, then the change isn’t viable.

“Increased across the board: The proposed salary schedule is a $1,250 increase to the base and an increase of $50.00 to the steps,” he continued. 

The board agreed that they wanted to look at ways to afford better increases, including stipends for earning additional training, such as dyslexia training for paraprofessionals.

“If someone gets certified in something, they deserve to be compensated,” Board Member Josh Obenshain said. 

The board approved the increases unanimously but members were frustrated with the process and the amount. 

“I apologize,” tenBerge said, appearing to speak to the classified staff as a whole. “I hope this helps them out some but that we also do a concerted effort to do better.” 

Obenshain also said he didn’t want to wait to get the salary discussion moving. 

“I don’t want to kick the can,” he said. “If we say we’re going to do it, we’re going to do it.” 

Other board members also asked questions including what kind of feedback district officials have received about the raises and where the raises place Huntsville in relationship to comparable districts. Reactions were positive from school administration but some noted the frustration among some staff.

The board also approved the annual state audit report that produced two negative findings related to ESSER Funds, which were monies provided to districts to help assuage the costs associated with the Covid pandemic. The first was the purchase of technology equipment that was kept at the district in the event that they needed to be distributed to students. 

“The guidance at the time was that we were to keep them on site to distribute in case we had to go all virtual again,” said Bailey Cotton, director of technology. 

The auditors said that later guidelines were that the technology was to be distributed and that didn’t happen. 

The second finding was that specific details regarding the purchase of improved HVAC equipment was not included in the report. 

In other district-related news, the board: 

Heard a report on recent ACT scores, which indicate improving scores nearing pre-pandemic levels; 

Learned that more students have withdrawn from the district for various reasons. Since September 76 students have left the district;

Learned another school principal has resigned;

Approved the following personnel changes:

Resignations:

Certified

Kashia Whittle, Watson Primary School PreK, June 30, 2024.

Annie Quinn, Huntsville High School Special Education Teacher, June 30, 2024.

Nicholas Coulter, HHS Coach and Teacher, June 30, 2024.

Olivia Myers, Huntsville Intermediate School 5th grade teacher, June 30, 2024. 

Emily Melton, Soccer Coach Stipend/Position Only, June 30, 2024.

Chris Johnson, Huntsville Middle School Principal, June 30, 2024. 

Classified

Hailey Pennie, HIS Special Education Paraprofessional, March 5, 2024.

Rachel Conner, WPS PreK Paraprofessional, June 30, 2024.

Sherri Plumlee, RN HHS, Retirement, June 30, 2024. 

Allison Kelly, HMS SpEd Paraprofessional, March 27, 2024.

Denise Coger, HMS Dyslexia Paraprofessional, June 30, 2024.

Hires:

Certified

Dr. Judy Fields, HIS Instructional Facilitator (195 days), July 1, 2024. 

Wendi Young, 5th grade teacher (190 days), July 1, 2024.

Kelly Newpher, HMS 8th grade ELA (190 days), July 1, 2024.

Tyler Brown, HHS Teacher Health and 7th grade boys basketball coach (190 days), July 1, 2024.

Caylee Allen, HIS 3rd grade teacher (190 days), July 1, 2024.

Mike Nichols, HHS Principal (240 days), July 1, 2024.

Transfers:

Classified

Wesley Ellis, from Computer Tech II to Systems Administrator (240 days), July 1, 2024

Melissa Smith, St. Paul Nutrition Worker to Elementary SpEd Paraprofessional (180 days), July 1, 2024.